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Math 192r, Problem Set \#8 \\
(due 10/16/01)
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\item
Define the diagonal of a two-variable generating function 
$$F(x,y) = \sum_{m,n} a_{m,n} x^m y^n$$
as the generating function 
$$D(t) = \sum_n a_{n,n} t^n.$$
It is a theorem (which we will not have time to prove)
that the diagonal of any two-variable rational generating function 
is an algebraic generating function.  
Verify this claim in the particular case 
$F(x,y) = 1/(1-x-y) = \sum_{m,n} \frac{(m+n)!}{m!n!} x^m y^n$
by expressing the diagonal $D(t)$ as an algebraic function.
Give as good a justification of your formula as you can.

\item
Call a sequence of $+1$'s $0$'s, and $-1$'s \emph{favorable}
if every partial sum is non-negative
and the total sum is 0.
Let $f(n)$ be the number of favorable sequences of length $n$. 
Express the generating function $\sum_n f(n) x^n$ 
as an algebraic function of $x$.

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