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Iosif Pinelis
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The first formula in Section 24.1.4.I.B in Handbook of mathematical functions with formulas, graphs, and mathematical tables, Dover edition, 1965 (Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 65.12253) by Abramowitz and Stegun is $$ x^n=\sum_{m=0}^n S(n,m) x(x-1)\cdots(x-m+1). \tag{1}\label{1} $$ Assuming here $n\ge1$ (so that $S(n,0)=0$), dividing both sides by $x$, and then letting $x=0$, we get the desired identity $$\sum_{m=1}^n S(n,m)(-1)^m(m-1)!=0.$$


One may note that Riordan (An Introduction to Combinatorial Analysis, Wiley, 1958, formula (35) on p. 33) uses identity \eqref{1} to define the Stirling numbers $S(n,m)$.

Iosif Pinelis
  • 127.7k
  • 8
  • 107
  • 229