# Impose assumptions in binomial coefficient?

GROUPS:
 Hello everyone. How can I impose constraints in the Binomial[n,m] formula in Mathematica? For example, I'd like to get Binomial[-1,m]=-1.Thank you for your help.
6 months ago
7 Replies
 Do you only want that for positive odd integers and negative even integers? What kind of number is m? Real, complex, rational, or integer? Has m been assigned a value?
6 months ago
 Hi @Jim Baldwin , m is a generic natural number.
6 months ago
 I suppose you know that all of the following statements are true: Binomial[-1, 0] == 1 Binomial[-1, 1] == -1 Binomial[-1, 2] == 1 Binomial[-1, 3] == -1 Binomial[-1, 4] == 1 So while I don't know why you would want to change the usual definition, you could always use a replacement rule at the end of your calculations: x + 2 Binomial[-1, m] /. Binomial[-1, m_] -> -1 (* -2+x *) 
6 months ago
 @Jim Baldwin your solution is the solution of Binomial[-1, -1], not of Binomial[-1,m] with m generic natural number.
 Would you please elaborate? m is undefined and with the above replacement rule, anytime the term Binomial[-1,h] is seen that term is replaced by -1.If m is defined as a specific value, then that replacement rule won't ever change anything because Binomial[-1,m] gets evaluated prior to the replacement rule. h = 4 Binomial[-1, h] /. Binomial[-1, m_] -> -1 (* 1 *) So if the variable m is already defined, then you'll need to write your own function: bin[n_, m_] := If[n == -1 && IntegerQ[m], -1, Binomial[n, m]] bin[10, 3] (* 120 *) bin[-1, 4] (* -1 *) bin[-1, 5] (* -1 *) 
 I certainly didn't interpret your original question as asking for a proof. Consider the definition of a binomial coefficient when one of the values is negative: $$\binom{-n}{m} = (-1)^m \binom{m+n-1}{m}$$So when $n=1$ we have $\binom{-1}{m}=(-1)^m$. That should be enough to show the two equations are equal. (And there is the appearance that you really weren't looking for a proof but rather if there was an inconsistency in WolframAlpha. No problem in that. There are some inconsistencies. But it would be better to state that explicitly. You'll get more and better help that way.)