[Math] Fibonacci series captures Euler $e=2.718\dots$

co.combinatoricsnt.number-theorysequences-and-seriessoft-question

The Fibonacci recurrence $F_n=F_{n-1}+F_{n-2}$ allows values for all indices $n\in\mathbb{Z}$. There is an almost endless list of properties of these numbers in all sorts of ways. The below question might even be known. Yet, if true, I like to ask for alternative proofs.

Question. Does the following identity hold? We have
$$\frac{\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{F_{n+k}}{k!}}{\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{F_{n-k}}{k!}}=e,$$
independent of $n\in\mathbb{Z}$.

Best Answer

It follows from the identity

$$F_{n+k} = \sum_{j=0}^k {k \choose j} F_{n-j}$$

which is obtained by applying the standard recurrence $k$ times to the left side, each time splitting up each term into two terms.

Indeed, this gives

$$\sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{F_{n+k}}{k!} = \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{ \sum_{j=0}^k {k \choose j} F_{n-j}}{k!}= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \sum_{j=0}^{k} \frac{1}{j! (k-j)!} F_{n-j} = \sum_{j=0}^{\infty} \sum_{k-j=0}^{\infty} \frac{1}{(k-j)!} \frac{F_{n-j}}{j!} = \sum_{j=0}^{\infty} e \frac{F_{n-j}}{j!}$$