Exercise · ZW-STIRLING-NUMBER-OF-THE-FIRST-KIND-009 · ★★☆ Intermediate

Using the row \(n=4\), where \(c(4,1)=6\), \(c(4,2)=11\), \(c(4,3)=6\) and \(c(4,4)=1\), compute \(\sum_{k=1}^{4} k\,c(4,k)\).

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  • C. 50

Explanation

The terms are \(6+22+18+4\), which give 50. Forgetting to multiply by \(k\) in some term leads to a different value.

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Review the concept: Stirling number of the first kind

The Stirling number of the first kind \(c(n,k)\) counts the permutations of \(n\) elements that have exactly \(k\) cycles.

\[x(x+1)\cdots(x+n-1)=\sum_{k=0}^{n} c(n,k)\,x^{k}\]

More practice problems: stirling number of the first kind

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