Extending the binomial coefficients to preserve symmetry and pattern (Q2641303)

Pascal's triangle of binomial coefficients \(\left[ \begin{matrix} n\\ r\end{matrix} \right]\) is extended to Pascal's hexagon where n, r are allowed to be negative, so that patterns within the triangle are preserved. Identities such as the reflection identity \(\left[ \begin{matrix} - n\\ -r\end{matrix} \right]=(-1)^{n-r}\left[ \begin{matrix} r-1\\ n-1\end{matrix} \right]\) result. Patterns such as the star of David and the Pascal flower are studied, and the paper finishes with a discussion of \(\left[ \begin{matrix} n\\ r\end{matrix} \right]\) where n, r are complex numbers. Some of this overlaps with an earlier paper of \textit{C. Puritz} [Math. Gazette 65, 42- 44 (1981)].