(a) Let $k,n\ge 1$.Find the number of sequences $\phi=S_0,S_1,\ldots,S_k$ of subsets of $[n]=\{1,2,3,\ldots,n\}$ if for all $1\le i\le k$ we have either (i)$S_{i-1}\subset S_i$ and $|S_i-S_{i-1}|$,or (ii)$S_i\subset S_{i-1}$ and $|S_{i-1}-S_i|=1$. (b) Suppose that we add the additional condition that $S_k=\phi$.Show that now the number $f_k(n)$ of sequences is given by$f_k(n)=\frac{1}{2^n}\sum_{i=0}^n\binom ni (n-2i)^k$. Note that $f_k(n)=0$ if $k$ is odd.
Problem
Source: India Postal Coaching 2014 Set 6 Problem 1
Tags: combinatorics unsolved, combinatorics