Three visual approaches to binomial Fibonacci identities

We present three visual proofs of the classical identity ∑k=0n(nk)Fk=F2n, first discovered by Édouard Lucas. Each proof exploits the combinatorial structure of Pascal’s triangle, or a variant thereof, to uncover the link between binomial coefficients and Fibonacci numbers using a technique called arrow-chasing. All three approaches naturally extend to general second-order and certain higher-order recurrence sequences, such as the Jacobsthal and Padovan numbers, providing unified visual arguments for a broad family of binomial identities.

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Publication Details

Journal
The Fibonacci Quarterly
Published
2026-08-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/00150517.2026.2671211
Primary Topic
Quasicrystal Structures and Properties
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Three visual approaches to binomial Fibonacci identities

Regula Krapf
The Fibonacci Quarterly
Quasicrystal Structures and Properties
article

Three visual approaches to binomial Fibonacci identities

Regula Krapf
article en

Abstract

We present three visual proofs of the classical identity ∑k=0n(nk)Fk=F2n, first discovered by Édouard Lucas. Each proof exploits the combinatorial structure of Pascal’s triangle, or a variant thereof, to uncover the link between binomial coefficients and Fibonacci numbers using a technique called arrow-chasing. All three approaches naturally extend to general second-order and certain higher-order recurrence sequences, such as the Jacobsthal and Padovan numbers, providing unified visual arguments for a broad family of binomial identities.

The Fibonacci Quarterly
University of Bonn (DE), Mathematical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SK)
Openalex Percentile: Top 21%
Quasicrystal Structures and Properties
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