[Math] Determining number of lattice paths

combinatorics

Question:

Determine the number of lattice paths from $(0,0)$ to $(6,6)$ that take steps in $ \{\ (1,0) , (0,1) \}\ $ that do not go through the point $(3,3)$.

I'm not sure what my professor means by the "that take steps in" because these steps imply that he walks backwards. What does he mean?

I know how to find the amount of lattice paths from one end to another by simply doing $x+y $ choose $x \text{ or } y$. But what do I do when a point is excluded?

Best Answer

Hint: The easiest way is to find the number of paths from $(0,0)$ to $(6,6)$, then subtract those that go through $(3,3)$. You say you can do the first, then find the number of ways to get from $(0,0)$ to $(3,3)$. For each one of those, how many ways are there to get from $(3,3)$ to $(6,6)?$