Python/project_euler/problem_15/sol1.py

"""
Starting in the top left corner of a 2×2 grid, and only being able to move to
the right and down, there are exactly 6 routes to the bottom right corner.
How many such routes are there through a 20×20 grid?
"""
from math import factorial


def lattice_paths(n):
    """
    Returns the number of paths possible in a n x n grid starting at top left
    corner going to bottom right corner and being able to move right and down
    only.

bruno@bruno-laptop:~/git/Python/project_euler/problem_15$ python3 sol1.py 50
1.008913445455642e+29
bruno@bruno-laptop:~/git/Python/project_euler/problem_15$ python3 sol1.py 25
126410606437752.0
bruno@bruno-laptop:~/git/Python/project_euler/problem_15$ python3 sol1.py 23
8233430727600.0
bruno@bruno-laptop:~/git/Python/project_euler/problem_15$ python3 sol1.py 15
155117520.0
bruno@bruno-laptop:~/git/Python/project_euler/problem_15$ python3 sol1.py 1
2.0

    >>> lattice_paths(25)
    126410606437752
    >>> lattice_paths(23)
    8233430727600
    >>> lattice_paths(20)
    137846528820
    >>> lattice_paths(15)
    155117520
    >>> lattice_paths(1)
    2

    """
    n = 2 * n  # middle entry of odd rows starting at row 3 is the solution for n = 1,
    # 2, 3,...
    k = n / 2

    return int(factorial(n) / (factorial(k) * factorial(n - k)))


if __name__ == "__main__":
    import sys

    if len(sys.argv) == 1:
        print(lattice_paths(20))
    else:
        try:
            n = int(sys.argv[1])
            print(lattice_paths(n))
        except ValueError:
            print("Invalid entry - please enter a number.")