Math Problem Statement

Find the only positive integer $n$ such that row $n$ of Pascal's Triangle contains three successive entries with the ratio $5:6:7.$

Solution

We are tasked with finding the only positive integer nn such that row nn of Pascal's Triangle contains three successive entries with the ratio 5:6:75:6:7.

Step 1: Review of Pascal's Triangle

The entries in row nn of Pascal's Triangle are the binomial coefficients (n0),(n1),(n2),,(nn)\binom{n}{0}, \binom{n}{1}, \binom{n}{2}, \dots, \binom{n}{n}. Our goal is to find three successive entries from this row that are in the ratio 5:6:75:6:7. That is, we are looking for three consecutive binomial coefficients (nk1),(nk),(nk+1)\binom{n}{k-1}, \binom{n}{k}, \binom{n}{k+1} such that:

(nk)(nk1)=65and(nk+1)(nk)=76.\frac{\binom{n}{k}}{\binom{n}{k-1}} = \frac{6}{5} \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{\binom{n}{k+1}}{\binom{n}{k}} = \frac{7}{6}.

Step 2: Express the Ratios Using Binomial Coefficients

Using the properties of binomial coefficients, we know that:

(nk)(nk1)=nk+1kand(nk+1)(nk)=nkk+1.\frac{\binom{n}{k}}{\binom{n}{k-1}} = \frac{n-k+1}{k} \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{\binom{n}{k+1}}{\binom{n}{k}} = \frac{n-k}{k+1}.

We are given that:

nk+1k=65andnkk+1=76.\frac{n-k+1}{k} = \frac{6}{5} \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{n-k}{k+1} = \frac{7}{6}.

Step 3: Solve the System of Equations

We now solve the system of equations:

  1. nk+1k=65\frac{n-k+1}{k} = \frac{6}{5}
  2. nkk+1=76\frac{n-k}{k+1} = \frac{7}{6}

Equation 1:

From nk+1k=65\frac{n-k+1}{k} = \frac{6}{5}, we can rewrite this as:

nk+1=65k    5(nk+1)=6k    5n5k+5=6k    5n+5=11k    k=5n+511.n-k+1 = \frac{6}{5}k \implies 5(n-k+1) = 6k \implies 5n - 5k + 5 = 6k \implies 5n + 5 = 11k \implies k = \frac{5n + 5}{11}.

Equation 2:

From nkk+1=76\frac{n-k}{k+1} = \frac{7}{6}, we can rewrite this as:

nk=76(k+1)    6(nk)=7(k+1)    6n6k=7k+7    6n=13k+7    k=6n713.n-k = \frac{7}{6}(k+1) \implies 6(n-k) = 7(k+1) \implies 6n - 6k = 7k + 7 \implies 6n = 13k + 7 \implies k = \frac{6n - 7}{13}.

Step 4: Equate the Two Expressions for kk

We now have two expressions for kk:

5n+511=6n713.\frac{5n + 5}{11} = \frac{6n - 7}{13}.

Cross-multiply to solve for nn:

13(5n+5)=11(6n7)    65n+65=66n77    65+77=66n65n    n=142.13(5n + 5) = 11(6n - 7) \implies 65n + 65 = 66n - 77 \implies 65 + 77 = 66n - 65n \implies n = 142.

Step 5: Find kk

Substitute n=142n = 142 into either expression for kk. Using k=5n+511k = \frac{5n + 5}{11}:

k=5(142)+511=710+511=71511=65.k = \frac{5(142) + 5}{11} = \frac{710 + 5}{11} = \frac{715}{11} = 65.

Step 6: Verify the Solution

We now verify that the binomial coefficients (14264),(14265),(14266)\binom{142}{64}, \binom{142}{65}, \binom{142}{66} are in the ratio 5:6:75:6:7.

  1. The ratio (14265)(14264)=14264+165=7965=65\frac{\binom{142}{65}}{\binom{142}{64}} = \frac{142-64+1}{65} = \frac{79}{65} = \frac{6}{5}.
  2. The ratio (14266)(14265)=1426566=7766=76\frac{\binom{142}{66}}{\binom{142}{65}} = \frac{142-65}{66} = \frac{77}{66} = \frac{7}{6}.

Both ratios are correct, confirming that n=142n = 142 is the solution.

Final Answer:

The only positive integer nn such that row nn of Pascal's Triangle contains three successive entries with the ratio 5:6:75:6:7 is 142\boxed{142}.


Would you like further details or clarifications on any part? Here are five related questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. What are the properties of binomial coefficients used to derive the ratios?
  2. How do the combinatorial properties of Pascal's Triangle help in finding patterns like these?
  3. What happens if the ratio was different, say 3:4:53:4:5?
  4. How can the solution method change for non-consecutive entries in Pascal’s Triangle?
  5. How do these ratios relate to approximations of Pascal's Triangle for large nn?

Tip: Understanding the recursive nature of binomial coefficients helps in solving complex combinatorial problems effectively.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Combinatorics
Binomial Coefficients
Ratios
Pascal's Triangle

Formulas

Binomial coefficient formula: \( \binom{n}{k} = \frac{n!}{k!(n-k)!} \)
Ratio of successive binomial coefficients: \( \frac{\binom{n}{k}}{\binom{n}{k-1}} = \frac{n-k+1}{k} \)

Theorems

Pascal's Rule
System of Linear Equations

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate