ERIC Number: EJ963827
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0020-739X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Catalan's Intriguing Factorial Problem
Koshy, Thomas
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, v43 n1 p101-109 2012
This article investigates the numbers [image omitted], originally studied by Catalan. We re-confirm that they are indeed integers. Using the close relationship between them and the Catalan numbers C[subscript n], we develop some divisibility properties for C[subscript n]. In particular, we establish that [image omitted], where f[subscript k] denotes the "k"th Fermat number 2[superscript 2[superscript k]] + 1 and M[subscript k] the "k"th Mersenne number 2[superscript k] - 1. Finally, we develop an explicit formula for X[subscript m,n] using Pascal's triangle and Catalan numbers, and extract several interesting byproducts from it. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Algebra, Numbers, Geometric Concepts, Mathematical Logic, Validity, Mathematics Education, Computation, Problem Solving, Mathematics Instruction, Theories, College Mathematics
Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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