Products and sum of cubes in FibonacciPrincipal term of the Dirichlet Divisor problem, from the work of A.F. Lavrik?Mean number of $n$-simplices per $(n-2)$-simplex in a triangulated $n$-manifold determinant of fibonacci-sum graphssum of three cubes and parametric solutionsSum of consecutive cubesDistinctness of products of Fibonacci numbersFive cubes, Hadamard and ShklyarskiyGcd of Fibonacci and CatalanLarge cubes in sum/difference setsA link between hooks and contents: Part II

Products and sum of cubes in Fibonacci


Principal term of the Dirichlet Divisor problem, from the work of A.F. Lavrik?Mean number of $n$-simplices per $(n-2)$-simplex in a triangulated $n$-manifold determinant of fibonacci-sum graphssum of three cubes and parametric solutionsSum of consecutive cubesDistinctness of products of Fibonacci numbersFive cubes, Hadamard and ShklyarskiyGcd of Fibonacci and CatalanLarge cubes in sum/difference setsA link between hooks and contents: Part II













1












$begingroup$


Consider the familiar sequence of Fibonacci numbers: $F_0=0, F_1=1, F_n=F_n-1+F_n-2$.



Although it is rather easy to furnish an algebraic verification of the below identity, I wish to see a different approach. Hence,




QUESTION. Is there a combinatorial or more conceptual reason for this "pretty" identity?
$$F_nF_n-1F_n-2=fracF_n^3-F_n-1^3-F_n-2^33.$$




Caveat. I'm open to as many alternative replies, of course.



Remark. The motivation comes as follows. Define $F_n!=F_1cdots F_n$ and $F_0!=1$. Further, $binomnk_F:=fracF_n!F_k!cdot F_n-k!$. Then, I was studying these coefficients and was lead to
$$binomn3_F=fracF_n^3-F_n-1^3-F_n-2^33!.$$










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    I get a different left hand side. Rewrite the n+2 term as the sum of n+1 and n terms, and then compute the difference of cubes and divide by three. Algebraically you get the product of the n term and the n+1 term and (the sum of n+1 and n terms). This seems to have more to do with (a+b)^n - a^n - b^n than with Fibonacci. Gerhard "Unsure Of Any Combinatorial Interpretation" Paseman, 2019.03.26.
    $endgroup$
    – Gerhard Paseman
    6 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Thanks, edited accordingly.
    $endgroup$
    – T. Amdeberhan
    6 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    $(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$. If $a,b$ are consecutive Fibonacci numbers then $a+b$ is the next.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    4 hours ago















1












$begingroup$


Consider the familiar sequence of Fibonacci numbers: $F_0=0, F_1=1, F_n=F_n-1+F_n-2$.



Although it is rather easy to furnish an algebraic verification of the below identity, I wish to see a different approach. Hence,




QUESTION. Is there a combinatorial or more conceptual reason for this "pretty" identity?
$$F_nF_n-1F_n-2=fracF_n^3-F_n-1^3-F_n-2^33.$$




Caveat. I'm open to as many alternative replies, of course.



Remark. The motivation comes as follows. Define $F_n!=F_1cdots F_n$ and $F_0!=1$. Further, $binomnk_F:=fracF_n!F_k!cdot F_n-k!$. Then, I was studying these coefficients and was lead to
$$binomn3_F=fracF_n^3-F_n-1^3-F_n-2^33!.$$










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    I get a different left hand side. Rewrite the n+2 term as the sum of n+1 and n terms, and then compute the difference of cubes and divide by three. Algebraically you get the product of the n term and the n+1 term and (the sum of n+1 and n terms). This seems to have more to do with (a+b)^n - a^n - b^n than with Fibonacci. Gerhard "Unsure Of Any Combinatorial Interpretation" Paseman, 2019.03.26.
    $endgroup$
    – Gerhard Paseman
    6 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Thanks, edited accordingly.
    $endgroup$
    – T. Amdeberhan
    6 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    $(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$. If $a,b$ are consecutive Fibonacci numbers then $a+b$ is the next.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    4 hours ago













1












1








1





$begingroup$


Consider the familiar sequence of Fibonacci numbers: $F_0=0, F_1=1, F_n=F_n-1+F_n-2$.



Although it is rather easy to furnish an algebraic verification of the below identity, I wish to see a different approach. Hence,




QUESTION. Is there a combinatorial or more conceptual reason for this "pretty" identity?
$$F_nF_n-1F_n-2=fracF_n^3-F_n-1^3-F_n-2^33.$$




Caveat. I'm open to as many alternative replies, of course.



Remark. The motivation comes as follows. Define $F_n!=F_1cdots F_n$ and $F_0!=1$. Further, $binomnk_F:=fracF_n!F_k!cdot F_n-k!$. Then, I was studying these coefficients and was lead to
$$binomn3_F=fracF_n^3-F_n-1^3-F_n-2^33!.$$










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$




Consider the familiar sequence of Fibonacci numbers: $F_0=0, F_1=1, F_n=F_n-1+F_n-2$.



Although it is rather easy to furnish an algebraic verification of the below identity, I wish to see a different approach. Hence,




QUESTION. Is there a combinatorial or more conceptual reason for this "pretty" identity?
$$F_nF_n-1F_n-2=fracF_n^3-F_n-1^3-F_n-2^33.$$




Caveat. I'm open to as many alternative replies, of course.



Remark. The motivation comes as follows. Define $F_n!=F_1cdots F_n$ and $F_0!=1$. Further, $binomnk_F:=fracF_n!F_k!cdot F_n-k!$. Then, I was studying these coefficients and was lead to
$$binomn3_F=fracF_n^3-F_n-1^3-F_n-2^33!.$$







nt.number-theory reference-request co.combinatorics elementary-proofs combinatorial-identities






share|cite|improve this question















share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited 6 hours ago







T. Amdeberhan

















asked 6 hours ago









T. AmdeberhanT. Amdeberhan

18k229131




18k229131











  • $begingroup$
    I get a different left hand side. Rewrite the n+2 term as the sum of n+1 and n terms, and then compute the difference of cubes and divide by three. Algebraically you get the product of the n term and the n+1 term and (the sum of n+1 and n terms). This seems to have more to do with (a+b)^n - a^n - b^n than with Fibonacci. Gerhard "Unsure Of Any Combinatorial Interpretation" Paseman, 2019.03.26.
    $endgroup$
    – Gerhard Paseman
    6 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Thanks, edited accordingly.
    $endgroup$
    – T. Amdeberhan
    6 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    $(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$. If $a,b$ are consecutive Fibonacci numbers then $a+b$ is the next.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    4 hours ago
















  • $begingroup$
    I get a different left hand side. Rewrite the n+2 term as the sum of n+1 and n terms, and then compute the difference of cubes and divide by three. Algebraically you get the product of the n term and the n+1 term and (the sum of n+1 and n terms). This seems to have more to do with (a+b)^n - a^n - b^n than with Fibonacci. Gerhard "Unsure Of Any Combinatorial Interpretation" Paseman, 2019.03.26.
    $endgroup$
    – Gerhard Paseman
    6 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Thanks, edited accordingly.
    $endgroup$
    – T. Amdeberhan
    6 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    $(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$. If $a,b$ are consecutive Fibonacci numbers then $a+b$ is the next.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    4 hours ago















$begingroup$
I get a different left hand side. Rewrite the n+2 term as the sum of n+1 and n terms, and then compute the difference of cubes and divide by three. Algebraically you get the product of the n term and the n+1 term and (the sum of n+1 and n terms). This seems to have more to do with (a+b)^n - a^n - b^n than with Fibonacci. Gerhard "Unsure Of Any Combinatorial Interpretation" Paseman, 2019.03.26.
$endgroup$
– Gerhard Paseman
6 hours ago





$begingroup$
I get a different left hand side. Rewrite the n+2 term as the sum of n+1 and n terms, and then compute the difference of cubes and divide by three. Algebraically you get the product of the n term and the n+1 term and (the sum of n+1 and n terms). This seems to have more to do with (a+b)^n - a^n - b^n than with Fibonacci. Gerhard "Unsure Of Any Combinatorial Interpretation" Paseman, 2019.03.26.
$endgroup$
– Gerhard Paseman
6 hours ago













$begingroup$
Thanks, edited accordingly.
$endgroup$
– T. Amdeberhan
6 hours ago




$begingroup$
Thanks, edited accordingly.
$endgroup$
– T. Amdeberhan
6 hours ago




2




2




$begingroup$
$(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$. If $a,b$ are consecutive Fibonacci numbers then $a+b$ is the next.
$endgroup$
– Noam D. Elkies
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
$(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$. If $a,b$ are consecutive Fibonacci numbers then $a+b$ is the next.
$endgroup$
– Noam D. Elkies
4 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















3












$begingroup$

This is just the following identity:
$$a^3+b^3+c^3-3abc=(a+b+c)(a^2+b^2+c^2-ab-bc-ca).$$ Since $$F_n+(-F_n-1)+(-F_n-2)=0,$$ your formula follows.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Simpler yet: since $F_n = F_n-1 + F_n+2$ it's enough to use the two-variable identity $(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$ which is a quick consequence of the binomial expansion of $(a+b)^3$.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    4 hours ago


















3












$begingroup$

$F_n$ is the number of compositions (ordered partitions) of $n-1$ into
parts equal to 1 or 2. The number of triples $(a,b,c)$ of such
compositions is $F_n^3$. The number such that $a,b,c$ all begin with 1
is $F_n-1^3$. The number such that $a,b,c$ all begin with 2 is
$F_n-2^3$. Otherwise either one of $a,b,c$ begins with 1 and the
others begin with 2, or vice versa. There are $3F_n-1F_n-2^2$ such
triples of the first type. Similarly there are $3F_n-1^2F_n-2$
of the second type, i.e., one of
$a,b,c$ begins with 2 and the others begin with 1. Hence
begineqnarray* F_n^3 & = & F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3
+3(F_n-1^2F_n-2+F_n-1F_n-2^2)\ & = &
F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3 +3F_n-1F_n-2(F_n-1+F_n-2)\ & = &
F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3 + F_nF_n-1F_n-2. endeqnarray*






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    With the greatest respect, and mostly out of curiosity, would you really prefer such a bijective proof to the algebra in e.g. Elkies's comment?
    $endgroup$
    – Lucia
    47 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    If it's simply a matter of proving the identity, then I prefer Elkies. If you want to understand it combinatorially, then a bijective proof is better.
    $endgroup$
    – Richard Stanley
    35 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    The OP specified a desire for "combinatorial" or "conceptual" explanations. But the distinction between combinatorics and algebra is blurry here. You have to choose one ball from each of three urns, each containing $a$ amaranth and $b$ blue balls. How many choices don't have all three balls the same color? On the one hand, $(a+b)^3-a^3-b^3$. On the other, choose any cyclic permutation of (amaranth, blue, either) to get $3ab(a+b)$.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    34 mins ago










Your Answer





StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function ()
return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function ()
StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix)
StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
);
);
, "mathjax-editing");

StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "504"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);

else
createEditor();

);

function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: true,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: 10,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);



);













draft saved

draft discarded


















StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmathoverflow.net%2fquestions%2f326414%2fproducts-and-sum-of-cubes-in-fibonacci%23new-answer', 'question_page');

);

Post as a guest















Required, but never shown

























2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes








2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









3












$begingroup$

This is just the following identity:
$$a^3+b^3+c^3-3abc=(a+b+c)(a^2+b^2+c^2-ab-bc-ca).$$ Since $$F_n+(-F_n-1)+(-F_n-2)=0,$$ your formula follows.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Simpler yet: since $F_n = F_n-1 + F_n+2$ it's enough to use the two-variable identity $(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$ which is a quick consequence of the binomial expansion of $(a+b)^3$.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    4 hours ago















3












$begingroup$

This is just the following identity:
$$a^3+b^3+c^3-3abc=(a+b+c)(a^2+b^2+c^2-ab-bc-ca).$$ Since $$F_n+(-F_n-1)+(-F_n-2)=0,$$ your formula follows.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Simpler yet: since $F_n = F_n-1 + F_n+2$ it's enough to use the two-variable identity $(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$ which is a quick consequence of the binomial expansion of $(a+b)^3$.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    4 hours ago













3












3








3





$begingroup$

This is just the following identity:
$$a^3+b^3+c^3-3abc=(a+b+c)(a^2+b^2+c^2-ab-bc-ca).$$ Since $$F_n+(-F_n-1)+(-F_n-2)=0,$$ your formula follows.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$



This is just the following identity:
$$a^3+b^3+c^3-3abc=(a+b+c)(a^2+b^2+c^2-ab-bc-ca).$$ Since $$F_n+(-F_n-1)+(-F_n-2)=0,$$ your formula follows.







share|cite|improve this answer












share|cite|improve this answer



share|cite|improve this answer










answered 4 hours ago









Cherng-tiao PerngCherng-tiao Perng

660147




660147







  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Simpler yet: since $F_n = F_n-1 + F_n+2$ it's enough to use the two-variable identity $(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$ which is a quick consequence of the binomial expansion of $(a+b)^3$.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    4 hours ago












  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Simpler yet: since $F_n = F_n-1 + F_n+2$ it's enough to use the two-variable identity $(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$ which is a quick consequence of the binomial expansion of $(a+b)^3$.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    4 hours ago







4




4




$begingroup$
Simpler yet: since $F_n = F_n-1 + F_n+2$ it's enough to use the two-variable identity $(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$ which is a quick consequence of the binomial expansion of $(a+b)^3$.
$endgroup$
– Noam D. Elkies
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
Simpler yet: since $F_n = F_n-1 + F_n+2$ it's enough to use the two-variable identity $(a+b)^3 - a^3 - b^3 = 3ab(a+b)$ which is a quick consequence of the binomial expansion of $(a+b)^3$.
$endgroup$
– Noam D. Elkies
4 hours ago











3












$begingroup$

$F_n$ is the number of compositions (ordered partitions) of $n-1$ into
parts equal to 1 or 2. The number of triples $(a,b,c)$ of such
compositions is $F_n^3$. The number such that $a,b,c$ all begin with 1
is $F_n-1^3$. The number such that $a,b,c$ all begin with 2 is
$F_n-2^3$. Otherwise either one of $a,b,c$ begins with 1 and the
others begin with 2, or vice versa. There are $3F_n-1F_n-2^2$ such
triples of the first type. Similarly there are $3F_n-1^2F_n-2$
of the second type, i.e., one of
$a,b,c$ begins with 2 and the others begin with 1. Hence
begineqnarray* F_n^3 & = & F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3
+3(F_n-1^2F_n-2+F_n-1F_n-2^2)\ & = &
F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3 +3F_n-1F_n-2(F_n-1+F_n-2)\ & = &
F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3 + F_nF_n-1F_n-2. endeqnarray*






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    With the greatest respect, and mostly out of curiosity, would you really prefer such a bijective proof to the algebra in e.g. Elkies's comment?
    $endgroup$
    – Lucia
    47 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    If it's simply a matter of proving the identity, then I prefer Elkies. If you want to understand it combinatorially, then a bijective proof is better.
    $endgroup$
    – Richard Stanley
    35 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    The OP specified a desire for "combinatorial" or "conceptual" explanations. But the distinction between combinatorics and algebra is blurry here. You have to choose one ball from each of three urns, each containing $a$ amaranth and $b$ blue balls. How many choices don't have all three balls the same color? On the one hand, $(a+b)^3-a^3-b^3$. On the other, choose any cyclic permutation of (amaranth, blue, either) to get $3ab(a+b)$.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    34 mins ago















3












$begingroup$

$F_n$ is the number of compositions (ordered partitions) of $n-1$ into
parts equal to 1 or 2. The number of triples $(a,b,c)$ of such
compositions is $F_n^3$. The number such that $a,b,c$ all begin with 1
is $F_n-1^3$. The number such that $a,b,c$ all begin with 2 is
$F_n-2^3$. Otherwise either one of $a,b,c$ begins with 1 and the
others begin with 2, or vice versa. There are $3F_n-1F_n-2^2$ such
triples of the first type. Similarly there are $3F_n-1^2F_n-2$
of the second type, i.e., one of
$a,b,c$ begins with 2 and the others begin with 1. Hence
begineqnarray* F_n^3 & = & F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3
+3(F_n-1^2F_n-2+F_n-1F_n-2^2)\ & = &
F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3 +3F_n-1F_n-2(F_n-1+F_n-2)\ & = &
F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3 + F_nF_n-1F_n-2. endeqnarray*






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    With the greatest respect, and mostly out of curiosity, would you really prefer such a bijective proof to the algebra in e.g. Elkies's comment?
    $endgroup$
    – Lucia
    47 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    If it's simply a matter of proving the identity, then I prefer Elkies. If you want to understand it combinatorially, then a bijective proof is better.
    $endgroup$
    – Richard Stanley
    35 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    The OP specified a desire for "combinatorial" or "conceptual" explanations. But the distinction between combinatorics and algebra is blurry here. You have to choose one ball from each of three urns, each containing $a$ amaranth and $b$ blue balls. How many choices don't have all three balls the same color? On the one hand, $(a+b)^3-a^3-b^3$. On the other, choose any cyclic permutation of (amaranth, blue, either) to get $3ab(a+b)$.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    34 mins ago













3












3








3





$begingroup$

$F_n$ is the number of compositions (ordered partitions) of $n-1$ into
parts equal to 1 or 2. The number of triples $(a,b,c)$ of such
compositions is $F_n^3$. The number such that $a,b,c$ all begin with 1
is $F_n-1^3$. The number such that $a,b,c$ all begin with 2 is
$F_n-2^3$. Otherwise either one of $a,b,c$ begins with 1 and the
others begin with 2, or vice versa. There are $3F_n-1F_n-2^2$ such
triples of the first type. Similarly there are $3F_n-1^2F_n-2$
of the second type, i.e., one of
$a,b,c$ begins with 2 and the others begin with 1. Hence
begineqnarray* F_n^3 & = & F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3
+3(F_n-1^2F_n-2+F_n-1F_n-2^2)\ & = &
F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3 +3F_n-1F_n-2(F_n-1+F_n-2)\ & = &
F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3 + F_nF_n-1F_n-2. endeqnarray*






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$



$F_n$ is the number of compositions (ordered partitions) of $n-1$ into
parts equal to 1 or 2. The number of triples $(a,b,c)$ of such
compositions is $F_n^3$. The number such that $a,b,c$ all begin with 1
is $F_n-1^3$. The number such that $a,b,c$ all begin with 2 is
$F_n-2^3$. Otherwise either one of $a,b,c$ begins with 1 and the
others begin with 2, or vice versa. There are $3F_n-1F_n-2^2$ such
triples of the first type. Similarly there are $3F_n-1^2F_n-2$
of the second type, i.e., one of
$a,b,c$ begins with 2 and the others begin with 1. Hence
begineqnarray* F_n^3 & = & F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3
+3(F_n-1^2F_n-2+F_n-1F_n-2^2)\ & = &
F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3 +3F_n-1F_n-2(F_n-1+F_n-2)\ & = &
F_n-1^3 + F_n-2^3 + F_nF_n-1F_n-2. endeqnarray*







share|cite|improve this answer












share|cite|improve this answer



share|cite|improve this answer










answered 54 mins ago









Richard StanleyRichard Stanley

29k9115189




29k9115189







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    With the greatest respect, and mostly out of curiosity, would you really prefer such a bijective proof to the algebra in e.g. Elkies's comment?
    $endgroup$
    – Lucia
    47 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    If it's simply a matter of proving the identity, then I prefer Elkies. If you want to understand it combinatorially, then a bijective proof is better.
    $endgroup$
    – Richard Stanley
    35 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    The OP specified a desire for "combinatorial" or "conceptual" explanations. But the distinction between combinatorics and algebra is blurry here. You have to choose one ball from each of three urns, each containing $a$ amaranth and $b$ blue balls. How many choices don't have all three balls the same color? On the one hand, $(a+b)^3-a^3-b^3$. On the other, choose any cyclic permutation of (amaranth, blue, either) to get $3ab(a+b)$.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    34 mins ago












  • 1




    $begingroup$
    With the greatest respect, and mostly out of curiosity, would you really prefer such a bijective proof to the algebra in e.g. Elkies's comment?
    $endgroup$
    – Lucia
    47 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    If it's simply a matter of proving the identity, then I prefer Elkies. If you want to understand it combinatorially, then a bijective proof is better.
    $endgroup$
    – Richard Stanley
    35 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    The OP specified a desire for "combinatorial" or "conceptual" explanations. But the distinction between combinatorics and algebra is blurry here. You have to choose one ball from each of three urns, each containing $a$ amaranth and $b$ blue balls. How many choices don't have all three balls the same color? On the one hand, $(a+b)^3-a^3-b^3$. On the other, choose any cyclic permutation of (amaranth, blue, either) to get $3ab(a+b)$.
    $endgroup$
    – Noam D. Elkies
    34 mins ago







1




1




$begingroup$
With the greatest respect, and mostly out of curiosity, would you really prefer such a bijective proof to the algebra in e.g. Elkies's comment?
$endgroup$
– Lucia
47 mins ago




$begingroup$
With the greatest respect, and mostly out of curiosity, would you really prefer such a bijective proof to the algebra in e.g. Elkies's comment?
$endgroup$
– Lucia
47 mins ago




1




1




$begingroup$
If it's simply a matter of proving the identity, then I prefer Elkies. If you want to understand it combinatorially, then a bijective proof is better.
$endgroup$
– Richard Stanley
35 mins ago




$begingroup$
If it's simply a matter of proving the identity, then I prefer Elkies. If you want to understand it combinatorially, then a bijective proof is better.
$endgroup$
– Richard Stanley
35 mins ago




1




1




$begingroup$
The OP specified a desire for "combinatorial" or "conceptual" explanations. But the distinction between combinatorics and algebra is blurry here. You have to choose one ball from each of three urns, each containing $a$ amaranth and $b$ blue balls. How many choices don't have all three balls the same color? On the one hand, $(a+b)^3-a^3-b^3$. On the other, choose any cyclic permutation of (amaranth, blue, either) to get $3ab(a+b)$.
$endgroup$
– Noam D. Elkies
34 mins ago




$begingroup$
The OP specified a desire for "combinatorial" or "conceptual" explanations. But the distinction between combinatorics and algebra is blurry here. You have to choose one ball from each of three urns, each containing $a$ amaranth and $b$ blue balls. How many choices don't have all three balls the same color? On the one hand, $(a+b)^3-a^3-b^3$. On the other, choose any cyclic permutation of (amaranth, blue, either) to get $3ab(a+b)$.
$endgroup$
– Noam D. Elkies
34 mins ago

















draft saved

draft discarded
















































Thanks for contributing an answer to MathOverflow!


  • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

But avoid


  • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

  • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.

Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.


To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




draft saved


draft discarded














StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmathoverflow.net%2fquestions%2f326414%2fproducts-and-sum-of-cubes-in-fibonacci%23new-answer', 'question_page');

);

Post as a guest















Required, but never shown





















































Required, but never shown














Required, but never shown












Required, but never shown







Required, but never shown

































Required, but never shown














Required, but never shown












Required, but never shown







Required, but never shown







Popular posts from this blog

How should I use the fbox command correctly to avoid producing a Bad Box message?How to put a long piece of text in a box?How to specify height and width of fboxIs there an arrayrulecolor-like command to change the rule color of fbox?What is the command to highlight bad boxes in pdf?Why does fbox sometimes place the box *over* the graphic image?how to put the text in the boxHow to create command for a box where text inside the box can automatically adjust?how can I make an fbox like command with certain color, shape and width of border?how to use fbox in align modeFbox increase the spacing between the box and it content (inner margin)how to change the box height of an equationWhat is the use of the hbox in a newcommand command?

Doxepinum Nexus interni Notae | Tabula navigationis3158DB01142WHOa682390"Structural Analysis of the Histamine H1 Receptor""Transdermal and Topical Drug Administration in the Treatment of Pain""Antidepressants as antipruritic agents: A review"

inputenc: Unicode character … not set up for use with LaTeX The Next CEO of Stack OverflowEntering Unicode characters in LaTeXHow to solve the `Package inputenc Error: Unicode char not set up for use with LaTeX` problem?solve “Unicode char is not set up for use with LaTeX” without special handling of every new interesting UTF-8 characterPackage inputenc Error: Unicode character ² (U+B2)(inputenc) not set up for use with LaTeX. acroI2C[I²C]package inputenc error unicode char (u + 190) not set up for use with latexPackage inputenc Error: Unicode char u8:′ not set up for use with LaTeX. 3′inputenc Error: Unicode char u8: not set up for use with LaTeX with G-BriefPackage Inputenc Error: Unicode char u8: not set up for use with LaTeXPackage inputenc Error: Unicode char ́ (U+301)(inputenc) not set up for use with LaTeX. includePackage inputenc Error: Unicode char ̂ (U+302)(inputenc) not set up for use with LaTeX. … $widehatleft (OA,AA' right )$Package inputenc Error: Unicode char â„¡ (U+2121)(inputenc) not set up for use with LaTeX. printbibliography[heading=bibintoc]Package inputenc Error: Unicode char − (U+2212)(inputenc) not set up for use with LaTeXPackage inputenc Error: Unicode character α (U+3B1) not set up for use with LaTeXPackage inputenc Error: Unicode characterError: ! Package inputenc Error: Unicode char ⊘ (U+2298)(inputenc) not set up for use with LaTeX