Mathematical notation in algorithms

Question

I am currently reading the Algorithm Design Manual, but my mathematical notation has become a little rusty.

What does

$"\left( a \ b \right)" LaTeX$

mean?

A helpful link for mathematical formulas: http://texify.com – John Rasch Jul 27 '09 at 19:53 — John Rasch, Jul 27 '09 at 19:53

score 12 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 27 '09 at 19:35

12

answered Jul 27 '09 at 19:35

drdaeman

Binomial coefficient is the second one I was going to suggest, but I couldn't remember what it was. I think it's time for me to brush up on my discrete math. – Thomas Owens Jul 27 '09 at 19:37
2

Not to be confused with the Legendre Symbol http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legendre_symbol – Adam Rosenfield Jul 27 '09 at 19:39

score 10 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 27 '09 at 19:36

It means "n choose k", or in this case, "a choose b". It is a shorthand for the formula a!/(b!((a-b)!)).

Sorry for the many parenthesis, just didn't want amibuity. ! means factorial, 5! = 5*4*3*2*1, etc.

It is used for binomial expansion, and Pascal's Triangle.

score 4 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 27 '09 at 19:34

4

Combination is the first thing that comes to mind...but without context, there are probably other meanings for the same notation.

answered Jul 27 '09 at 19:34

Thomas Owens

score 3 · Answer 4 · answered Jul 27 '09 at 19:35

3

answered Jul 27 '09 at 19:35

Sinan Ünür

4 Answers4