Difference between revisions of "Catalan sequence"

 
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== Introduction ==
 
== Introduction ==
 +
Catalan numbers can be used to find:
 +
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# The number of ways to arrange <math>n</math> pairs of matching parentheses
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# The number of ways a convex polygon of <math>n+2</math> sides can be split into <math>n</math> triangles
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# The number of rooted binary trees with exactly <math>n+1</math> leaves
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=== Example ===
 
=== Example ===
 
In how many ways can the product of <math>n</math> ordered number be calculated by pairs?  For example, the possible ways for <math>a\cdot b\cdot c\cdot d</math> are <math>a((bc)d), a(b(cd)), (ab)(cd), ((ab)c)d,</math> and <math>(a(bc))d</math>.
 
In how many ways can the product of <math>n</math> ordered number be calculated by pairs?  For example, the possible ways for <math>a\cdot b\cdot c\cdot d</math> are <math>a((bc)d), a(b(cd)), (ab)(cd), ((ab)c)d,</math> and <math>(a(bc))d</math>.

Revision as of 18:26, 31 August 2006

The Catalan Numbers are a sequence of numbers that show up in a variety of instances.

Introduction

Catalan numbers can be used to find:

  1. The number of ways to arrange $n$ pairs of matching parentheses
  2. The number of ways a convex polygon of $n+2$ sides can be split into $n$ triangles
  3. The number of rooted binary trees with exactly $n+1$ leaves

Example

In how many ways can the product of $n$ ordered number be calculated by pairs? For example, the possible ways for $a\cdot b\cdot c\cdot d$ are $a((bc)d), a(b(cd)), (ab)(cd), ((ab)c)d,$ and $(a(bc))d$.

Solution

See also