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Let $S(n,k)$ be the number of surjections from an $n$-set to a $k$-set.

Prove use a combinatorial proof that:

$S(n+1,k) = kS(n,k) + kS(n,k-1)$, where $n \geq k$

Workings:

this equation counts the class of distributions of $n+1$ balls labeled, $1, ..., n+1$ among $k$ urns labeled $u_1, ..., u_k$, with no urn left empty. The LHS counts by definition of $S(n+1, k)$.

RHS

The RHS splits this into two situations:

(1) The case when ball 1 is placed in an urn all by itself

(2) The case when ball 1 is placed in a urn with at least one other ball.

Case 1 would be $kS(n,k)$ and Case 2 would be $kS(n,k-1)$

This counts all cases. So the proof is complete.

I'm not sure if this is correct. Any help will be appreciated.

MrTambourineMan
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1 Answers1

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Stirling numbers of second kind is what you are looking for. You can read the answer given by AndrewG here to learn more about them. Your proof is correct.

Community
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