[Math] Techniques for summing ratio of binomial coefficients

binomial-coefficientscombinatoricssequences-and-series

There are several identities that involve the sum of the product of binomial coefficients. However what I am searching for is an identity that involves the ratio of binomial coefficients. Specifically, I want to find a closed form expression for the sum
$$\sum_{k=r-t}^n\frac{\binom{n}{k}}{\binom{k+t}{r}}, $$
where $n,r \in \mathbb{N}$ are fixed and $t$ is nonpositive and fixed.

Are there any standard formulae/identities that give this or are there methods for finding this sum?

I have restricted $t$ to be nonpositive, because the case where $t$ is positive is comparatively easier (in particular, $r=1, t=1$ is straight-forward to evaluate).

Best Answer

There is a technique known as Gosper's algorithm and another technique which is known as Zeilberger's algorithm. The two algorithms tackle these kinds of problems, if they succeed they will give a closed form formulas for the finite sum.

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