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The fundamental solution of the Pell equation x^2 - 2*(n*y)^2 = 1, is the smallest solution of x^2 - 2*y^2 = 1 satisfying y == 0 (mod n).

If n is prime (i.e., n in A000040) then a(n) divides (n - Legendre symbol (n/2)); the Legendre symbol (n/2), or more general Kronecker symbol (n/2) is A091337(n). - A.H.M. Smeets, Jan 23 2018

From A.H.M. Smeets, Jan 23 2018: (Start)

Stronger, but conjectured:

If n is prime (i.e., in A000040) and n in {2,3,5,7,11,13,19,23} (mod 24) then (n - Legendre symbol (n/2)) / a(n) == 2 (mod 4).

If n is a safe prime (i.e., in A005385) and n in {7,23} (mod 24) then (n - Legendre symbol (n/2)) / a(n) = 2, i.e., a(n) is a Sophie Germain prime (A005384).

If n is prime (i.e., in A000040) and n in {1,17} (mod 24) then (n - Legendre symbol (n/2)) / a(n) == 0 (mod 4). (End)

Summation of -a(n) and A129346 returns twice Pell numbers A000129 (apart from signs; starting from 2nd term of A000129).

Equivalently: numbers k for which there exists only one integer m with here m = k/2 + 1 such that A000178(k) / m! is a square, where A000178(k) = k$ = 1!*2!*...*k! is the superfactorial of k.

Sometimes also called lambda numbers.

Also denominators of continued fraction convergents to sqrt(2): 1, 3/2, 7/5, 17/12, 41/29, 99/70, 239/169, 577/408, 1393/985, 3363/2378, 8119/5741, 19601/13860, 47321/33461, 114243/80782, ... = A001333/A000129.

Number of lattice paths from (0,0) to the line x=n-1 consisting of U=(1,1), D=(1,-1) and H=(2,0) steps (i.e., left factors of Grand Schroeder paths); for example, a(3)=5, counting the paths H, UD, UU, DU and DD. - Emeric Deutsch, Oct 27 2002

a(2*n) with b(2*n) := A001333(2*n), n >= 1, give all (positive integer) solutions to Pell equation b^2 - 2*a^2 = +1 (see Emerson reference). a(2*n+1) with b(2*n+1) := A001333(2*n+1), n >= 0, give all (positive integer) solutions to Pell equation b^2 - 2*a^2 = -1.

Bisection: a(2*n+1) = T(2*n+1, sqrt(2))/sqrt(2) = A001653(n), n >= 0 and a(2*n) = 2*S(n-1,6) = 2*A001109(n), n >= 0, with T(n,x), resp. S(n,x), Chebyshev's polynomials of the first, resp. second kind. S(-1,x)=0. See A053120, resp. A049310. - Wolfdieter Lang, Jan 10 2003

Consider the mapping f(a/b) = (a + 2b)/(a + b). Taking a = b = 1 to start with and carrying out this mapping repeatedly on each new (reduced) rational number gives the following sequence 1/1, 3/2, 7/5, 17/12, 41/29, ... converging to 2^(1/2). Sequence contains the denominators. - Amarnath Murthy, Mar 22 2003

This is also the Horadam sequence (0,1,1,2). Limit_{n->oo} a(n)/a(n-1) = sqrt(2) + 1 = A014176. - Ross La Haye, Aug 18 2003

Number of 132-avoiding two-stack sortable permutations.

From Herbert Kociemba, Jun 02 2004: (Start)

For n > 0, the number of (s(0), s(1), ..., s(n)) such that 0 < s(i) < 4 and |s(i) - s(i-1)| <= 1 for i = 1,2,...,n, s(0) = 2, s(n) = 3.

Number of (s(0), s(1), ..., s(n)) such that 0 < s(i) < 4 and |s(i) - s(i-1)| <= 1 for i = 1,2,...,n, s(0) = 1, s(n) = 2. (End)

Counts walks of length n from a vertex of a triangle to another vertex to which a loop has been added. - Mario Catalani (mario.catalani(AT)unito.it), Jul 23 2004

Apart from initial terms, Pisot sequence P(2,5). See A008776 for definition of Pisot sequences. - David W. Wilson

Sums of antidiagonals of A038207 [Pascal's triangle squared]. - Ross La Haye, Oct 28 2004

The Pell primality test is "If N is an odd prime, then P(N)-Kronecker(2,N) is divisible by N". "Most" composite numbers fail this test, so it makes a useful pseudoprimality test. The odd composite numbers which are Pell pseudoprimes (i.e., that pass the above test) are in A099011. - Jack Brennen, Nov 13 2004

a(n) = sum of n-th row of triangle in A008288 = A094706(n) + A000079(n). - Reinhard Zumkeller, Dec 03 2004

Pell trapezoids (cf. A084158); for n > 0, A001109(n) = (a(n-1) + a(n+1))*a(n)/2; e.g., 1189 = (12+70)*29/2. - Charlie Marion, Apr 01 2006

(0!a(1), 1!a(2), 2!a(3), 3!a(4), ...) and (1,-2,-2,0,0,0,...) form a reciprocal pair under the list partition transform and associated operations described in A133314. - Tom Copeland, Oct 29 2007

Let C = (sqrt(2)+1) = 2.414213562..., then for n > 1, C^n = a(n)*(1/C) + a(n+1). Example: C^3 = 14.0710678... = 5*(0.414213562...) + 12. Let X = the 2 X 2 matrix [0, 1; 1, 2]; then X^n * [1, 0] = [a(n-1), a(n); a(n), a(n+1)]. a(n) = numerator of n-th convergent to (sqrt(2)-1) = 0.414213562... = [2, 2, 2, ...], the convergents being [1/2, 2/5, 5/12, ...]. - Gary W. Adamson, Dec 21 2007

A = sqrt(2) = 2/2 + 2/5 + 2/(5*29) + 2/(29*169) + 2/(169*985) + ...; B = ((5/2) - sqrt(2)) = 2/2 + 2/(2*12) + 2/(12*70) + 2/(70*408) + 2/(408*2378) + ...; A+B = 5/2. C = 1/2 = 2/(1*5) + 2/(2*12) + 2/(5*29) + 2/(12*70) + 2/(29*169) + ... - Gary W. Adamson, Mar 16 2008

From Clark Kimberling, Aug 27 2008: (Start)

Related convergents (numerator/denominator):

lower principal convergents: A002315/A001653

upper principal convergents: A001541/A001542

intermediate convergents: A052542/A001333

lower intermediate convergents: A005319/A001541

upper intermediate convergents: A075870/A002315

principal and intermediate convergents: A143607/A002965

lower principal and intermediate convergents: A143608/A079496

upper principal and intermediate convergents: A143609/A084068. (End)

Equals row sums of triangle A143808 starting with offset 1. - Gary W. Adamson, Sep 01 2008

Binomial transform of the sequence:= 0,1,0,2,0,4,0,8,0,16,..., powers of 2 alternating with zeros. - Philippe Deléham, Oct 28 2008

a(n) is also the sum of the n-th row of the triangle formed by starting with the top two rows of Pascal's triangle and then each next row has a 1 at both ends and the interior values are the sum of the three numbers in the triangle above that position. - Patrick Costello (pat.costello(AT)eku.edu), Dec 07 2008

Starting with offset 1 = eigensequence of triangle A135387 (an infinite lower triangular matrix with (2,2,2,...) in the main diagonal and (1,1,1,...) in the subdiagonal). - Gary W. Adamson, Dec 29 2008

Starting with offset 1 = row sums of triangle A153345. - Gary W. Adamson, Dec 24 2008

From Charlie Marion, Jan 07 2009: (Start)

In general, denominators, a(k,n) and numerators, b(k,n), of continued fraction convergents to sqrt((k+1)/k) may be found as follows:

let a(k,0) = 1, a(k,1) = 2k; for n > 0, a(k,2n) = 2*a(k,2n-1) + a(k,2n-2)

and a(k,2n+1) = (2k)*a(k,2n) + a(k,2n-1);

let b(k,0) = 1, b(k,1) = 2k+1; for n > 0, b(k,2n) = 2*b(k,2n-1) + b(k,2n-2)

and b(k,2n+1) = (2k)*b(k,2n) + b(k,2n-1).

For example, the convergents to sqrt(2/1) start 1/1, 3/2, 7/5, 17/12, 41/29.

In general, if a(k,n) and b(k,n) are the denominators and numerators, respectively, of continued fraction convergents to sqrt((k+1)/k) as defined above, then

k*a(k,2n)^2 - a(k,2n-1)*a(k,2n+1) = k = k*a(k,2n-2)*a(k,2n) - a(k,2n-1)^2 and

b(k,2n-1)*b(k,2n+1) - k*b(k,2n)^2 = k+1 = b(k,2n-1)^2 - k*b(k,2n-2)*b(k,2n);

for example, if k=1 and n=3, then a(1,n) = a(n+1) and

1*a(1,6)^2 - a(1,5)*a(1,7) = 1*169^2 - 70*408 = 1;

1*a(1,4)*a(1,6) - a(1,5)^2 = 1*29*169 - 70^2 = 1;

b(1,5)*b(1,7) - 1*b(1,6)^2 = 99*577 - 1*239^2 = 2;

b(1,5)^2 - 1*b(1,4)*b(1,6) = 99^2 - 1*41*239 = 2.

Cf. A001333, A142238, A142239, A153313, A153314, A153315, A153316, A153317, A153318.

(End)

Starting with offset 1 = row sums of triangle A155002, equivalent to the statement that the Fibonacci sequence convolved with the Pell sequence prefaced with a "1": (1, 1, 2, 5, 12, 29, ...) = (1, 2, 5, 12, 29, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, Jan 18 2009

It appears that P(p) == 8^((p-1)/2) (mod p), p = prime; analogous to [Schroeder, p. 90]: Fp == 5^((p-1)/2) (mod p). Example: Given P(11) = 5741, == 8^5 (mod 11). Given P(17) = 11336689, == 8^8 (mod 17) since 17 divides (8^8 - P(17)). - Gary W. Adamson, Feb 21 2009

Equals eigensequence of triangle A154325. - Gary W. Adamson, Feb 12 2009

Another combinatorial interpretation of a(n-1) arises from a simple tiling scenario. Namely, a(n-1) gives the number of ways of tiling a 1 X n rectangle with indistinguishable 1 X 2 rectangles and 1 X 1 squares that come in two varieties, say, A and B. For example, with C representing the 1 X 2 rectangle, we obtain a(4)=12 from AAA, AAB, ABA, BAA, ABB, BAB, BBA, BBB, AC, BC, CA and CB. - Martin Griffiths, Apr 25 2009

a(n+1) = 2*a(n) + a(n-1), a(1)=1, a(2)=2 was used by Theon from Smyrna. - Sture Sjöstedt, May 29 2009

The n-th Pell number counts the perfect matchings of the edge-labeled graph C_2 x P_(n-1), or equivalently, the number of domino tilings of a 2 X (n-1) cylindrical grid. - Sarah-Marie Belcastro, Jul 04 2009

As a fraction: 1/79 = 0.0126582278481... or 1/9799 = 0.000102051229...(1/119 and 1/10199 for sequence in reverse). - Mark Dols, May 18 2010

Limit_{n->oo} (a(n)/a(n-1) - a(n-1)/a(n)) tends to 2.0. Example: a(7)/a(6) - a(6)/a(7) = 169/70 - 70/169 = 2.0000845... - Gary W. Adamson, Jul 16 2010

Numbers k such that 2*k^2 +- 1 is a square. - Vincenzo Librandi, Jul 18 2010

Starting (1, 2, 5, ...) = INVERTi transform of A006190: (1, 3, 10, 33, 109, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, Aug 06 2010

[u,v] = [a(n), a(n-1)] generates all Pythagorean triples [u^2-v^2, 2uv, u^2+v^2] whose legs differ by 1. - James R. Buddenhagen, Aug 14 2010

An elephant sequence, see A175654. For the corner squares six A[5] vectors, with decimal values between 21 and 336, lead to this sequence (without the leading 0). For the central square these vectors lead to the companion sequence A078057. - Johannes W. Meijer, Aug 15 2010

Let the 2 X 2 square matrix A=[2, 1; 1, 0] then a(n) = the (1,1) element of A^(n-1). - Carmine Suriano, Jan 14 2011

Define a t-circle to be a first-quadrant circle tangent to the x- and y-axes. Such a circle has coordinates equal to its radius. Let C(0) be the t-circle with radius 1. Then for n > 0, define C(n) to be the next larger t-circle which is tangent to C(n - 1). C(n) has radius A001333(2n) + a(2n)*sqrt(2) and each of the coordinates of its point of intersection with C(n + 1) is a(2n + 1) + (A001333(2n + 1)*sqrt(2))/2. See similar Comments for A001109 and A001653, Sep 14 2005. - Charlie Marion, Jan 18 2012

A001333 and A000129 give the diagonal numbers described by Theon from Smyrna. - Sture Sjöstedt, Oct 20 2012

Pell numbers could also be called "silver Fibonacci numbers", since, for n >= 1, F(n+1) = ceiling(phi*F(n)), if n is even and F(n+1) = floor(phi*F(n)), if n is odd, where phi is the golden ratio, while a(n+1) = ceiling(delta*a(n)), if n is even and a(n+1) = floor(delta*a(n)), if n is odd, where delta = delta_S = 1+sqrt(2) is the silver ratio. - Vladimir Shevelev, Feb 22 2013

a(n) is the number of compositions (ordered partitions) of n-1 into two sorts of 1's and one sort of 2's. Example: the a(3)=5 compositions of 3-1=2 are 1+1, 1+1', 1'+1, 1'+1', and 2. - Bob Selcoe, Jun 21 2013

Between every two consecutive squares of a 1 X n array there is a flap that can be folded over one of the two squares. Two flaps can be lowered over the same square in 2 ways, depending on which one is on top. The n-th Pell number counts the ways n-1 flaps can be lowered. For example, a sideway representation for the case n = 3 squares and 2 flaps is \\., .//, \./, ./., .\., where . is an empty square. - Jean M. Morales, Sep 18 2013

Define a(-n) to be a(n) for n odd and -a(n) for n even. Then a(n) = A005319(k)*(a(n-2k+1) - a(n-2k)) + a(n-4k) = A075870(k)*(a(n-2k+2) - a(n-2k+1)) - a(n-4k+2). - Charlie Marion, Nov 26 2013

An alternative formulation of the combinatorial tiling interpretation listed above: Except for n=0, a(n-1) is the number of ways of partial tiling a 1 X n board with 1 X 1 squares and 1 X 2 dominoes. - Matthew Lehman, Dec 25 2013

Define a(-n) to be a(n) for n odd and -a(n) for n even. Then a(n) = A077444(k)*a(n-2k+1) + a(n-4k+2). This formula generalizes the formula used to define this sequence. - Charlie Marion, Jan 30 2014

a(n-1) is the top left entry of the n-th power of any of the 3 X 3 matrices [0, 1, 1; 1, 1, 1; 0, 1, 1], [0, 1, 1; 0, 1, 1; 1, 1, 1], [0, 1, 0; 1, 1, 1; 1, 1, 1] or [0, 0, 1; 1, 1, 1; 1, 1, 1]. - R. J. Mathar, Feb 03 2014

a(n+1) counts closed walks on K2 containing two loops on the other vertex. Equivalently the (1,1) entry of A^(n+1) where the adjacency matrix of digraph is A=(0,1;1,2). - David Neil McGrath, Oct 28 2014

For n >= 1, a(n) equals the number of ternary words of length n-1 avoiding runs of zeros of odd lengths. - Milan Janjic, Jan 28 2015

This is a divisibility sequence (i.e., if n|m then a(n)|a(m)). - Tom Edgar, Jan 28 2015

A strong divisibility sequence, that is, gcd(a(n), a(m)) = a(gcd(n, m)) for all positive integers n and m. - Michael Somos, Jan 03 2017

a(n) is the number of compositions (ordered partitions) of n-1 into two kinds of parts, n and n', when the order of the 1 does not matter, or equivalently, when the order of the 1' does not matter. Example: When the order of the 1 does not matter, the a(3)=5 compositions of 3-1=2 are 1+1, 1+1'=1+1, 1'+1', 2 and 2'. (Contrast with entry from Bob Selcoe dated Jun 21 2013.) - Gregory L. Simay, Sep 07 2017

Number of weak orderings R on {1,...,n} that are weakly single-peaked w.r.t. the total ordering 1 < ... < n and for which {1,...,n} has exactly one minimal element for the weak ordering R. - J. Devillet, Sep 28 2017

Also the number of matchings in the (n-1)-centipede graph. - Eric W. Weisstein, Sep 30 2017

Let A(r,n) be the total number of ordered arrangements of an n+r tiling of r red squares and white tiles of total length n, where the individual tile lengths can range from 1 to n. A(r,0) corresponds to a tiling of r red squares only, and so A(r,0)=1. Let A_1(r,n) = Sum_{j=0..n} A(r,j) and let A_s(r,n) = Sum_{j=0..n} A_(s-1)(r,j). Then A_0(1,n) + A_2(3,n-4) + A_4(5,n-8) + ... + A_(2j) (2j+1, n-4j) = a(n) without the initial 0. - Gregory L. Simay, May 25 2018

(1, 2, 5, 12, 29, ...) is the fourth INVERT transform of (1, -2, 5, -12, 29, ...), as shown in A073133. - Gary W. Adamson, Jul 17 2019

Number of 2-compositions of n restricted to odd parts (and allowed zeros); see Hopkins & Ouvry reference. - Brian Hopkins, Aug 17 2020

Also called the 2-metallonacci sequence; the g.f. 1/(1-k*x-x^2) gives the k-metallonacci sequence. - Michael A. Allen, Jan 23 2023

Named by Lucas (1878) after the English mathematician John Pell (1611-1685). - Amiram Eldar, Oct 02 2023

a(n) is the number of compositions of n when there are F(i) parts of size i, with i,n >= 1, F(n) the Fibonacci numbers, A000045(n) (see example below). - Enrique Navarrete, Dec 15 2023

Consider all Pythagorean triples (X,X+1,Z) ordered by increasing Z; sequence gives Z values.

The defining equation is X^2 + (X+1)^2 = Z^2, which when doubled gives 2Z^2 = (2X+1)^2 + 1. So the sequence gives Z's such that 2Z^2 = odd square + 1 (A069894).

(x,y) = (a(n), a(n+1)) are the solutions with x < y of x/(yz) + y/(xz) + z/(xy)=3 with z=2. - Floor van Lamoen, Nov 29 2001

Consequently the sum n^2*(2n^2 - 1) of the first n odd cubes (A002593) is also a square. - Lekraj Beedassy, Jun 05 2002

Numbers n such that 2*n^2 = ceiling(sqrt(2)*n*floor(sqrt(2)*n)). - Benoit Cloitre, May 10 2003

Also, number of domino tilings in S_5 X P_2n. - Ralf Stephan, Mar 30 2004. Here S_5 is the star graph on 5 vertices with the edges {1,2}, {1,3}, {1,4}, {1,5}.

If x is in the sequence then so is x*(8*x^2-3). - James R. Buddenhagen, Jan 13 2005

In general, Sum_{k=0..n} binomial(2n-k,k)j^(n-k) = (-1)^n*U(2n,i*sqrt(j)/2), i=sqrt(-1). - Paul Barry, Mar 13 2005

a(n) = L(n,6), where L is defined as in A108299; see also A002315 for L(n,-6). - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jun 01 2005

Define a T-circle to be a first-quadrant circle with integral radius that is tangent to the x- and y-axes. Such a circle has coordinates equal to its radius. Let C(0) be the T-circle with radius 1. Then for n >0, define C(n) to be the largest T-circle that intersects C(n-1). C(n) has radius a(n) and the coordinates of its points of intersection with C(n-1) are A001108(n) and A055997(n). Cf. A001109. - Charlie Marion, Sep 14 2005

Number of 01-avoiding words of length n on alphabet {0,1,2,3,4,5} which do not end in 0. - Tanya Khovanova, Jan 10 2007

The lower principal convergents to 2^(1/2), beginning with 1/1, 7/5, 41/29, 239/169, comprise a strictly increasing sequence; numerators = A002315 and denominators = {a(n)}. - Clark Kimberling, Aug 26 2008

Apparently Ljunggren shows that 169 is the last square term.

If (p,q) is a solution of the Diophantine equation: X^2 + (X+1)^2 = Y^2 then (p+q) or (p+q+1) are perfect squares. If (p,q) is a solution of the Diophantine equation: X^2 + (X+1)^2 = Y^2 then (p+q) or (p+q)/8 are perfect squares. If (p,q) and (r,s) are two consecutive solutions of the Diophantine equation: X^2 + (X+1)^2 = Y^2 with p < r then s-r = p+q+1. - Mohamed Bouhamida, Aug 29 2009

If (p,q) and (r,s) are two consecutive solutions of the Diophantine equation: X^2 + (X + 1)^2 = Y^2 with p < r then r = 3p+2q+1 and s = 4p+3q+2. - Mohamed Bouhamida, Sep 02 2009

Equals INVERT transform of A005054: (1, 4, 20, 100, 500, 2500, ...) and INVERTi transform of A122074: (1, 6, 40, 268, 1796, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, Jul 22 2010

a(n) is the number of compositions of n when there are 5 types of 1 and 4 types of other natural numbers. - Milan Janjic, Aug 13 2010

The remainder after division of a(n) by a(k) appears to belong to a periodic sequence: 1, 5, ..., a(k-1), 0, a(k)-a(k-1), ..., a(k)-1, a(k)-1, ..., a(k)-a(k-1), 0, a(k-1), ..., 5, 1. See Bouhamida's Sep 01 2009 comment. - Charlie Marion, May 02 2011

Apart from initial 1: subsequence of A198389, see also A198385. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Oct 25 2011

(a(n+1), 2*b(n+1)) and (a(n+2), 2*b(n+1)), n >= 0, with b(n):= A001109(n), give the (u(2*n), v(2*n)) and (u(2*n+1), v(2*n+1)) sequences, respectively, for Pythagorean triples (x,y,z), where x=|u^2-v^2|, y=2*u*v and z=u^2+v^2, with u odd and v even, which are generated from (u(0)=1, v(0)=2) by the substitution rule (u,v) -> (2*v+u,v) if u < v and (u,v) -> (u,2*u+v) if u > v. This leads to primitive triples because gcd(u,v) = 1 is respected. This corresponds to (primitive) Pythagorean triangles with |x-y|=1 (the catheti differ by one length unit). This (u,v) sequence starts with (1,2), (5,2), (5,12), (29,12), (29,70) ... - Wolfdieter Lang, Mar 06 2012

Area of the Fibonacci snowflake of order n. - José Luis Ramírez Ramírez, Dec 13 2012

Area of the 3-generalized Fibonacci snowflake of order n, n >= 3. - José Luis Ramírez Ramírez, Dec 13 2012

For the o.g.f. given by Johannes W. Meijer, Aug 01 2010, in the formula section see a comment under A077445. - Wolfdieter Lang, Jan 18 2013

Positive values of x (or y) satisfying x^2 - 6xy + y^2 + 4 = 0. - Colin Barker, Feb 04 2014

Length of period of the continued fraction expansion of a(n)*sqrt(2) is 1, the corresponding repeating value is A077444(n). - Ralf Stephan, Feb 20 2014

Positive values of x (or y) satisfying x^2 - 34xy + y^2 + 144 = 0. - Colin Barker, Mar 04 2014

The value of the hypotenuse in each triple of the Tree of primitive Pythagorean triples (cf. Wikipedia link) starting with root (3,4,5) and recursively selecting the central branch at each triple node of the tree. - Stuart E Anderson, Feb 05 2015

Positive integers z such that z^2 is a centered square number (A001844). - Colin Barker, Feb 12 2015

The aerated sequence (b(n)) n >= 1 = [1, 0, 5, 0, 29, 0, 169, 0, ...] is a fourth-order linear divisibility sequence; that is, if n | m then b(n) | b(m). It is the case P1 = 0, P2 = -8, Q = 1 of the 3-parameter family of divisibility sequences found by Williams and Guy. See A100047 for the connection with Chebyshev polynomials. - Peter Bala, Mar 25 2015

A002315(n-1)/a(n) is the closest rational approximation of sqrt(2) with a denominator not larger than a(n). These rational approximations together with those obtained from the sequences A001541 and A001542 give a complete set of closest rational approximations of sqrt(2) with restricted numerator or denominator. A002315(n-1)/a(n) < sqrt(2). - A.H.M. Smeets, May 28 2017

Equivalently, numbers x such that (x-1)*x/2 + x*(x+1)/2 = y^2 + (y+1)^2. y-values are listed in A001652. Example: for x=29 and y=20, 28*29/2 + 29*30/2 = 20^2 + 21^2. - Bruno Berselli, Mar 19 2018

From Wolfdieter Lang, Jun 13 2018: (Start)

(a(n), a(n+1)), with a(0):= 1, give all proper positive solutions m1 = m1(n) and m2 = m2(n), with m1 < m2 and n >= 0, of the Markoff triple (m, m1, m2) (see A002559) for m = 2, i.e., m1^2 - 6*m1*m2 + m2^2 = -4. Hence the unique Markoff triple with largest value m = 2 is (1, 1, 2) (for general m from A002559 this is the famous uniqueness conjecture).

For X = m2 - m1 and Y = m2 this becomes the reduced indefinite quadratic form representation X^2 + 4*X*Y - 4*Y^2 = -4, with discriminant 32, and the only proper fundamental solution (X(0), Y(0)) = (0, 1). For all nonnegative proper (X(n), Y(n)) solutions see (A005319(n) = a(n+1) - a(n), a(n+1)), for n >= 0. (End)

Each Pell(2*k+1) = a(k+1) number with k >= 3 appears as largest number of an ordered Markoff (Markov) triple [x, y, m] with smallest value x = 2 as [2, Pell(2*k-1), Pell(2*k+1)]. This known result follows also from all positive proper solutions of the Pell equation q^2 - 2*m^2 = -1 which are q = q(k) = A002315(k) and m = m(k) = Pell(2*k+1), for k >= 0. y = y(k) = m(k) - 2*q(k) = Pell(2*k-1), with Pell(-1) = 1. The k = 0 and 1 cases do not satisfy x=2 <= y(k) <= m(k). The numbers 1 and 5 appear also as largest Markoff triple members because they are also Fibonacci numbers, and for these triples x=1. - Wolfdieter Lang, Jul 11 2018

All of the positive integer solutions of a*b+1=x^2, a*c+1=y^2, b*c+1=z^2, x+z=2*y, 0 < a < b < c are given by a=A001542(n), b=A005319(n), c=A001542(n+1), x=A001541(n), y=a(n+1), z=A002315(n) with 0 < n. - Michael Somos, Jun 26 2022

8*a(n)^2 + 1 = 8*A001110(n) + 1 = A055792(n+1) is a perfect square. - Gregory V. Richardson, Oct 05 2002

For n >= 2, A001108(n) gives exactly the positive integers m such that 1,2,...,m has a perfect median. The sequence of associated perfect medians is the present sequence. Let a_1,...,a_m be an (ordered) sequence of real numbers, then a term a_k is a perfect median if Sum_{j=1..k-1} a_j = Sum_{j=k+1..m} a_j. See Puzzle 1 in MSRI Emissary, Fall 2005. - Asher Auel, Jan 12 2006

(a(n), b(n)) where b(n) = A082291(n) are the integer solutions of the equation 2*binomial(b,a) = binomial(b+2,a). - Klaus Strassburger (strass(AT)ddfi.uni-duesseldorf.de); comment revised by Michael Somos, Apr 07 2003

This sequence gives the values of y in solutions of the Diophantine equation x^2 - 8y^2 = 1. It also gives the values of the product xy where (x,y) satisfies x^2 - 2y^2 = +-1, i.e., a(n) = A001333(n)*A000129(n). a(n) also gives the inradius r of primitive Pythagorean triangles having legs whose lengths are consecutive integers, with corresponding semiperimeter s = a(n+1) = {A001652(n) + A046090(n) + A001653(n)}/2 and area rs = A029549(n) = 6*A029546(n). - Lekraj Beedassy, Apr 23 2003 [edited by Jon E. Schoenfield, May 04 2014]

n such that 8*n^2 = floor(sqrt(8)*n*ceiling(sqrt(8)*n)). - Benoit Cloitre, May 10 2003

For n > 0, ratios a(n+1)/a(n) may be obtained as convergents to continued fraction expansion of 3+sqrt(8): either successive convergents of [6;-6] or odd convergents of [5;1, 4]. - Lekraj Beedassy, Sep 09 2003

a(n+1) + A053141(n) = A001108(n+1). Generating floretion: - 2'i + 2'j - 'k + i' + j' - k' + 2'ii' - 'jj' - 2'kk' + 'ij' + 'ik' + 'ji' + 'jk' - 2'kj' + 2e ("jes" series). - Creighton Dement, Dec 16 2004

Kekulé numbers for certain benzenoids (see the Cyvin-Gutman reference). - Emeric Deutsch, Jun 19 2005

Number of D steps on the line y=x in all Delannoy paths of length n (a Delannoy path of length n is a path from (0,0) to (n,n), consisting of steps E=(1,0), N=(0,1) and D=(1,1)). Example: a(2)=6 because in the 13 (=A001850(2)) Delannoy paths of length 2, namely (DD), (D)NE, (D)EN, NE(D), NENE, NEEN, NDE, NNEE, EN(D), ENNE, ENEN, EDN and EENN, we have altogether six D steps on the line y=x (shown between parentheses). - Emeric Deutsch, Jul 07 2005

Define a T-circle to be a first-quadrant circle with integral radius that is tangent to the x- and y-axes. Such a circle has coordinates equal to its radius. Let C(0) be the T-circle with radius 1. Then for n > 0, define C(n) to be the smallest T-circle that does not intersect C(n-1). C(n) has radius a(n+1). Cf. A001653. - Charlie Marion, Sep 14 2005

Numbers such that there is an m with t(n+m)=2t(m), where t(n) are the triangular numbers A000217. For instance, t(20)=2*t(14)=210, so 6 is in the sequence. - Floor van Lamoen, Oct 13 2005

One half the bisection of the Pell numbers (A000129). - Franklin T. Adams-Watters, Jan 08 2006

Pell trapezoids: for n > 0, a(n) = (A000129(n-1)+A000129(n+1))*A000129(n)/2; see also A084158. - Charlie Marion, Apr 01 2006

Tested for 2 < p < 27: If and only if 2^p - 1 (the Mersenne number M(p)) is prime then M(p) divides a(2^(p-1)). - Kenneth J Ramsey, May 16 2006

If 2^p - 1 is prime then M(p) divides a(2^(p-1)-1). - Kenneth J Ramsey, Jun 08 2006; comment corrected by Robert Israel, Mar 18 2007

If 8*n+5 and 8*n+7 are twin primes then their product divides a(4*n+3). - Kenneth J Ramsey, Jun 08 2006

If p is an odd prime, then if p == 1 or 7 (mod 8), then a((p-1)/2) == 0 (mod p) and a((p+1)/2) == 1 (mod p); if p == 3 or 5 (mod 8), then a((p-1)/2) == 1 (mod p) and a((p+1)/2) == 0 (mod p). Kenneth J Ramsey's comment about twin primes follows from this. - Robert Israel, Mar 18 2007

a(n)*(a(n+b) - a(b-2)) = (a(n+1)+1)*(a(n+b-1) - a(b-1)). This identity also applies to any series a(0) = 0 a(1) = 1 a(n) = b*a(n-1) - a(n-2). - Kenneth J Ramsey, Oct 17 2007

For n < 0, let a(n) = -a(-n). Then (a(n+j) + a(k+j)) * (a(n+b+k+j) - a(b-j-2)) = (a(n+j+1) + a(k+j+1)) * (a(n+b+k+j-1) - a(b-j-1)). - Charlie Marion, Mar 04 2011

Sequence gives y values of the Diophantine equation: 0+1+2+...+x = y^2. If (a,b) and (c,d) are two consecutive solutions of the Diophantine equation: 0+1+2+...+x = y^2 with aMohamed Bouhamida, Aug 29 2009

If (p,q) and (r,s) are two consecutive solutions of the Diophantine equation: 0+1+2+...+x = y^2 with p < r then r = 3*p+4*q+1 and s = 2*p+3*q+1. - Mohamed Bouhamida, Sep 02 2009

a(n)/A002315(n) converges to cos^2(Pi/8) (see A201488). - Gary Detlefs, Nov 25 2009

Binomial transform of A086347. - Johannes W. Meijer, Aug 01 2010

If x=a(n), y=A055997(n+1) and z = x^2+y, then x^4 + y^3 = z^2. - Bruno Berselli, Aug 24 2010

In general, if b(0)=1, b(1)=k and for n > 1, b(n) = 6*b(n-1) - b(n-2), then

for n > 0, b(n) = a(n)*k-a(n-1); e.g.,

for k=2, when b(n) = A038725(n), 2 = 1*2 - 0, 11 = 6*2 - 1, 64 = 35*2 - 6, 373 = 204*2 - 35;

for k=3, when b(n) = A001541(n), 3 = 1*3 - 0, 17 = 6*3 - 1; 99 = 35*3 - 6; 577 = 204*3 - 35;

for k=4, when b(n) = A038723(n), 4 = 1*4 - 0, 23 = 6*4 - 1; 134 = 35*4 - 6; 781 = 204*4 - 35;

for k=5, when b(n) = A001653(n), 5 = 1*5 - 0, 29 = 6*5 - 1; 169 = 35*5 - 6; 985 = 204*5 - 35.

See also A002315, A054488, A038761, A054489, A054490.

- Charlie Marion, Dec 08 2010

See a Wolfdieter Lang comment on A001653 on a sequence of (u,v) values for Pythagorean triples (x,y,z) with x=|u^2-v^2|, y=2*u*v and z=u^2+v^2, with u odd and v even, generated from (u(0)=1,v(0)=2), the triple (3,4,5), by a substitution rule given there. The present a(n) appears there as b(n). The corresponding generated triangles have catheti differing by one length unit. - Wolfdieter Lang, Mar 06 2012

a(n)*a(n+2k) + a(k)^2 and a(n)*a(n+2k+1) + a(k)*a(k+1) are triangular numbers. Generalizes description of sequence. - Charlie Marion, Dec 03 2012

a(n)*a(n+2k) + a(k)^2 is the triangular square A001110(n+k). a(n)*a(n+2k+1) + a(k)*a(k+1) is the triangular oblong A029549(n+k). - Charlie Marion, Dec 05 2012

From Richard R. Forberg, Aug 30 2013: (Start)

The squares of a(n) are the result of applying triangular arithmetic to the squares, using A001333 as the "guide" on what integers to square, as follows:

a(2n)^2 = A001333(2n)^2 * (A001333(2n)^2 - 1)/2;

a(2n+1)^2 = A001333(2n+1)^2 * (A001333(2n+1)^2 + 1)/2. (End)

For n >= 1, a(n) equals the number of 01-avoiding words of length n-1 on alphabet {0,1,...,5}. - Milan Janjic, Jan 25 2015

Panda and Rout call these "balancing numbers" and note that the period of the sequence modulo a prime p is the same as that modulo p^2 when p = 13, 31, 1546463. But these are precisely the p in A238736 such that p^2 divides A000129(p - (2/p)), where (2/p) is a Jacobi symbol. In light of the above observation by Franklin T. Adams-Watters that the present sequence is one half the bisection of the Pell numbers, i.e., a(n) = A000129(2*n)/2, it follows immediately that modulo a fixed prime p, or any power thereof, the period of a(n) is half that of A000129(n). - John Blythe Dobson, Mar 06 2015

The triangular number = square number identity Tri((T(n, 3) - 1)/2) = S(n-1, 6)^2 with Tri, T, and S given in A000217, A053120 and A049310, is the special case k = 1 of the k-family of identities Tri((T(n, 2*k+1) - 1)/2) = Tri(k)*S(n-1, 2*(2*k+1))^2, k >= 0, n >= 0, with S(-1, x) = 0. For k=2 see A108741(n) for S(n-1, 10)^2. This identity boils down to the identities S(n-1, 2*x)^2 = (T(2*n, x) - 1)/(2*(x^2-1)) and 2*T(n, x)^2 - 1 = T(2*n, x) with x = 2*k+1. - Wolfdieter Lang, Feb 01 2016

a(2)=6 is perfect. For n=2*k, k > 0, k not equal to 1, a(n) is a multiple of a(2) and since every multiple (beyond 1) of a perfect number is abundant, then a(n) is abundant. sigma(a(4)) = 504 > 408 = 2*a(4). For n=2*k+1, k > 0, a(n) mod 10 = A000012(n), so a(n) is odd. If a(n) is a prime number, it is deficient; otherwise a(n) has one or two distinct prime factors and is therefore deficient again. So for n=2k+1, k > 0, a(n) is deficient. sigma(a(5)) = 1260 < 2378 = 2*a(5). - Muniru A Asiru, Apr 14 2016

Behera & Panda call these the balancing numbers, and A001541 are the balancers. - Michel Marcus, Nov 07 2017

In general, a second-order linear recurrence with constant coefficients having a signature of (c,d) will be duplicated by a third-order recurrence having a signature of (x,c^2-c*x+d,-d*x+c*d). The formulas of Olivares and Bouhamida in the formula section which have signatures of (7,-7,1) and (5,5,-1), respectively, are specific instances of this general rule for x = 7 and x = 5. - Gary Detlefs, Jan 29 2021

Note that 6 is the largest triangular number in the sequence, because it is proved that 8 and 9 are the largest perfect powers which are consecutive (Catalan's conjecture). 0 and 1 are also in the sequence because they are also perfect powers and 0*1/2 = 0^2 and 8*9/2 = (2*3)^2. - Metin Sariyar, Jul 15 2021

3*a(n)^2 + 1 is a square. Moreover, 3*a(n)^2 + 1 = (2*a(n) - a(n-1))^2.

Consecutive terms give nonnegative solutions to x^2 - 4*x*y + y^2 = 1. - Max Alekseyev, Dec 12 2012

Values y solving the Pellian x^2 - 3*y^2 = 1; corresponding x values given by A001075(n). Moreover, we have a(n) = 2*a(n-1) + A001075(n-1). - Lekraj Beedassy, Jul 13 2006

Number of spanning trees in 2 X n grid: by examining what happens at the right-hand end we see that a(n) = 3*a(n-1) + 2*a(n-2) + 2*a(n-3) + ... + 2*a(1) + 1, where the final 1 corresponds to the tree ==...=| !. Solving this we get a(n) = 4*a(n-1) - a(n-2).

Complexity of 2 X n grid.

A016064 also describes triangles whose sides are consecutive integers and in which an inscribed circle has an integer radius. A001353 is exactly and precisely mapped to the integer radii of such inscribed circles, i.e., for each term of A016064, the corresponding term of A001353 gives the radius of the inscribed circle. - Harvey P. Dale, Dec 28 2000

n such that 3*n^2 = floor(sqrt(3)*n*ceiling(sqrt(3)*n)). - Benoit Cloitre, May 10 2003

For n>0, ratios a(n+1)/a(n) may be obtained as convergents of the continued fraction expansion of 2+sqrt(3): either as successive convergents of [4;-4] or as odd convergents of [3;1, 2]. - Lekraj Beedassy, Sep 19 2003

Ways of packing a 3 X (2*n-1) rectangle with dominoes, after attaching an extra square to the end of one of the sides of length 3. With reference to A001835, therefore: a(n) = a(n-1) + A001835(n-1) and A001835(n) = 3*A001835(n-1) + 2*a(n-1). - Joshua Zucker and the Castilleja School Math Club, Oct 28 2003

a(n+1) is a Chebyshev transform of 4^n, where the sequence with g.f. G(x) is sent to the sequence with g.f. (1/(1+x^2))G(x/(1+x^2)). - Paul Barry, Oct 25 2004

This sequence is prime-free, because a(2n) = a(n) * (a(n+1)-a(n-1)) and a(2n+1) = a(n+1)^2 - a(n)^2 = (a(n+1)+a(n)) * (a(n+1)-a(n)). - Jianing Song, Jul 06 2019

Numbers such that there is an m with t(n+m) = 3*t(m), where t(n) are the triangular numbers A000217. For instance, t(35) = 3*t(20) = 630, so 35 - 20 = 15 is in the sequence. - Floor van Lamoen, Oct 13 2005

a(n) = number of distinct matrix products in (A + B + C + D)^n where commutator [A,B] = 0 but neither A nor B commutes with C or D. - Paul D. Hanna and Max Alekseyev, Feb 01 2006

For n > 1, middle side (or long leg) of primitive Pythagorean triangles having an angle nearing Pi/3 with larger values of sides. [Complete triple (X, Y, Z), X < Y < Z, is given by X = A120892(n), Y = a(n), Z = A120893(n), with recurrence relations X(i+1) = 2*{X(i) - (-1)^i} + a(i); Z(i+1) = 2*{Z(i) + a(i)} - (-1)^i.] - Lekraj Beedassy, Jul 13 2006

From Dennis P. Walsh, Oct 04 2006: (Start)

Number of 2 X n simple rectangular mazes. A simple rectangular m X n maze is a graph G with vertex set {0, 1, ..., m} X {0, 1, ..., n} that satisfies the following two properties: (i) G consists of two orthogonal trees; (ii) one tree has a path that sequentially connects (0,0),(0,1), ..., (0,n), (1,n), ...,(m-1,n) and the other tree has a path that sequentially connects (1,0), (2,0), ..., (m,0), (m,1), ..., (m,n). For example, a(2) = 4 because there are four 2 X 2 simple rectangular mazes:

| | | | | | | | |

| | | | | || | |

(End)

[1, 4, 15, 56, 209, ...] is the Hankel transform of [1, 1, 5, 26, 139, 758, ...](see A005573). - Philippe Deléham, Apr 14 2007

The upper principal convergents to 3^(1/2), beginning with 2/1, 7/4, 26/15, 97/56, comprise a strictly decreasing sequence; numerators=A001075, denominators=A001353. - Clark Kimberling, Aug 27 2008

From Gary W. Adamson, Jun 21 2009: (Start)

A001353 and A001835 = bisection of continued fraction [1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, ...], i.e., of [1, 3, 4, 11, 15, 41, ...].

For n>0, a(n) equals the determinant of an (n-1) X (n-1) tridiagonal matrix with ones in the super and subdiagonals and (4, 4, 4, ...) as the main diagonal. [Corrected by Johannes Boot, Sep 04 2011]

A001835 and A001353 = right and next to right borders of triangle A125077. (End)

a(n) is equal to the permanent of the (n-1) X (n-1) Hessenberg matrix with 4's along the main diagonal, i's along the superdiagonal and the subdiagonal (i is the imaginary unit), and 0's everywhere else. - John M. Campbell, Jun 09 2011

2a(n) is the number of n-color compositions of 2n consisting of only even parts; see Guo in references. - Brian Hopkins, Jul 19 2011

Pisano period lengths: 1, 2, 6, 4, 3, 6, 8, 4, 18, 6, 10, 12, 12, 8, 6, 8, 18, 18, 5, 12, ... - R. J. Mathar, Aug 10 2012

From Michel Lagneau, Jul 08 2014: (Start)

a(n) is defined also by the recurrence a(1)=1; for n>1, a(n+1) = 2*a(n) + sqrt(3*a(n)^2 + 1) where a(n) is an integer for every n. This sequence is generalizable by the sequence b(n,m) of parameter m with the initial condition b(1,m) = 1, and for n > 1 b(n+1,m) = m*b(n,m) + sqrt((m^2 - 1)*b(n,m)^2 + 1) for m = 2, 3, 4, ... where b(n,m) is an integer for every n.

The first corresponding sequences are

b(n,2) = a(n) = A001353(n);

b(n,3) = A001109(n);

b(n,4) = A001090(n);

b(n,5) = A004189(n);

b(n,6) = A004191(n);

b(n,7) = A007655(n);

b(n,8) = A077412(n);

b(n,9) = A049660(n);

b(n,10) = A075843(n);

b(n,11) = A077421(n);

....................

We obtain a general sequence of polynomials {b(n,x)} = {1, 2*x, 4*x^2 - 1, 8*x^3 - 4*x, 16*x^4 - 12*x^2 + 1, 32*x^5 - 32*x^3 + 6*x, ...} with x = m where each b(n,x) is a Gegenbauer polynomial defined by the recurrence b(n,x)- 2*x*b(n-1,x) + b(n-2,x) = 0, the same relation as the Chebyshev recurrence, but with the initial conditions b(x,0) = 1 and b(x,1) = 2*x instead b(x,0) = 1 and b(x,1) = x for the Chebyshev polynomials. (End)

If a(n) denotes the n-th term of the above sequence and we construct a triangle whose sides are a(n) - 1, a(n) + 1 and sqrt(3a(n)^2 + 1), then, for every n the measure of one of the angles of the triangle so constructed will always be 120 degrees. This result of ours was published in Mathematics Spectrum (2012/2013), Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 126-128. - K. S. Bhanu and Dr. M. N. Deshpande, Professor (Retd), Department of Statistics, Institute of Science, Nagpur (India).

For n >= 1, a(n) equals the number of 01-avoiding words of length n - 1 on alphabet {0, 1, 2, 3}. - Milan Janjic, Jan 25 2015

For n > 0, 10*a(n) is the number of vertices and roots on level n of the {4, 5} mosaic (see L. Németh Table 1 p. 6). - Michel Marcus, Oct 30 2015

(2 + sqrt(3))^n = A001075(n) + a(n)*sqrt(3), n >= 0; integers in the quadratic number field Q(sqrt(3)). - Wolfdieter Lang, Feb 16 2018

A strong divisibility sequence, that is, gcd(a(n), a(m)) = a(gcd(n, m)) for all positive integers n and m. - Michael Somos, Dec 12 2019

The Cholesky decomposition A = C C* for tridiagonal A with A[i,i] = 4 and A[i+1,i] = A[i,i+1] = -1, as it arises in the discretized 2D Laplace operator (Poisson equation...), has nonzero elements C[i,i] = sqrt(a(i+1)/a(i)) = -1/C[i+1,i], i = 1, 2, 3, ... - M. F. Hasler, Mar 12 2021

The triples (a(n-1), 2a(n), a(n+1)), n=2,3,..., are exactly the triples (a,b,c) of positive integers a < b < c in arithmetic progression such that a*b+1, b*c+1, and c*a+1 are perfect squares. - Bernd Mulansky, Jul 10 2021

From Greg Dresden and Linyun Sheng, Jul 01 2025: (Start)

a(n) is the number of ways to tile this strip of length n,

.________________

| | | | | | |\

||__||__||__|_\,

where the last cell is a right triangle, with three types of tiles: 1 X 1 squares, 1 X 1 small right triangles, and large right triangles (with large side length 2) formed by joining two of those small right triangles along a short leg. As an example, here is one of the a(7)=2911 ways to tile the 1 X 7 strip with these kinds of tiles:

.________________

|\ /|\ | /| | / \

|\/_|\|/|__|/_\,

(End)

Consider all Pythagorean triples (X, X+1, Z) ordered by increasing Z; sequence gives X values.

Numbers n such that triangular number t(n) (see A000217) = n(n+1)/2 is a product of two consecutive integers (cf. A097571).

Members of Diophantine pairs. Solution to a*(a+1) = 2*b*(b+1) in natural numbers including 0; a = a(n), b = b(n) = A053141(n); The solution of a special case of a binomial problem of H. Finner and K. Strassburger (strass(AT)godot.dfi.uni-duesseldorf.de).

The index of all triangular numbers T(a(n)) for which 4T(n)+1 is a perfect square.

The three sequences x (A001652), y (A046090) and z (A001653) may be obtained by setting u and v equal to the Pell numbers (A000129) in the formulas x = 2uv, y = u^2 - v^2, z = u^2 + v^2 [Joseph Wiener and Donald Skow]. - Antonio Alberto Olivares, Dec 22 2003

All Pythagorean triples {X(n), Y(n)=X(n)+1, Z(n)} with X M*W(n), where W(n)=transpose of vector [X(n) Y(n) Z(n)] and M a 3 X 3 matrix given by [2 1 2 / 1 2 2 / 2 2 3]. - Lekraj Beedassy, Aug 14 2006

Let b(n) = A053141 then a(n)*b(n+1) = b(n)*a(n+1) + b(n). - Kenneth J Ramsey, Sep 22 2007

In general, if b(n) = A053141(n), then a(n)*b(n+k) = a(n+k)*b(n)+b(k); e.g., 3*84 = 119*2+14; 3*2870 = 4059*2+492; 20*2870 = 5741*14+84. - Charlie Marion, Nov 19 2007

Limit_{n -> oo} a(n)/a(n-1) = 3+2*sqrt(2) = A156035. - Klaus Brockhaus, Feb 17 2009

If (p,q) is a solution of the Diophantine equation: X^2 + (X+1)^2 = Y^2 then (p+q) or (p+q+1) are perfect squares. If (p,q) is a solution of the Diophantine equation: X^2 + (X+1)^2 = Y^2 then (p+q) or (p+q)/8 are perfect squares. If (p,q) and (r,s) are two consecutive solutions of the Diophantine equation: X^2 + (X+1)^2 = Y^2 with pMohamed Bouhamida, Aug 29 2009

If (p,q) and (r,s) are two consecutive solutions of the Diophantine equation: X^2 + (X + 1)^2 = y^2 with pMohamed Bouhamida, Sep 02 2009

a(n+k) = A001541(k)*a(n) + A001542(k)*A001653(n+1) + A001108(k). - Charlie Marion, Dec 10 2010

The numbers 3*A001652 = (0, 9, 60, 357, 2088, 12177, 70980, ...) are all the nonnegative values of X such that X^2 + (X+3)^2 = Z^2 (Z is in A075841). - Bruno Berselli, Aug 26 2010

Let T(n) = n*(n+1)/2 (the n-th triangular number). For n > 0,

T(a(n) + 2*k*A001653(n+1)) = 2*T(A053141(n-1) + k*A002315(n)) + k^2 and

T(a(n) + (2*k+1)*A001653(n+1)) = (A001109(n+1) + k*A002315(n))^2 + k*(k+1).

Also (a(n) + k*A001653(n))^2 + (a(n) + k*A001653(n) + 1)^2 = (A001653(n+1) + k*A002315(n))^2 + k^2. - Charlie Marion, Dec 09 2010

For n>0, A143608(n) divides a(n). - Kenneth J Ramsey, Jun 28 2012

Set a(n)=p; a(n)+1=q; the generated triple x=p^2+pq; y=q^2+pq; k=p^2+q^2 satisfies x^2+y^2=k(x+y). - Carmine Suriano, Dec 17 2013

The arms of the triangle are found with (b(n),c(n)) for 2*b(n)*c(n) and c(n)^2 - b(n)^2. Let b(1) = 1 and c(1) = 2, then b(n) = c(n-1) and c(n) = 2*c(n-1) + b(n-1). Alternatively, b(n) = c(n-1) and c(n) equals the nearest integer to b(n)*(1+sqrt(2)). - J. M. Bergot, Oct 09 2014

Conjecture: For n>1 a(n) is the index of the first occurrence of n in sequence A123737. - Vaclav Kotesovec, Jun 02 2015

Numbers m such that Product_{k=1..m} (4*k^4+1) is a square (see A274307). - Chai Wah Wu, Jun 21 2016

Numbers m such that m^2+(m+1)^2 is a square. - César Aguilera, Aug 14 2017

For integers a and d, let P(a,d,1) = a, P(a,d,2) = a+d, and, for n>2, P(a,d,n) = 2*P(a,d,n-1) + P(a,d,n-2). Further, let p(n) = Sum_{i=1..2n} P(a,d,i). Then p(n)^2 + (p(n)+d)^2 + a^2 = P(a,d,2n+1)^2 + d^2. When a = 1 and d = 1, p(n) = a(n) and P(a,d,n) = A000129(n), the n-th Pell number. - Charlie Marion, Dec 08 2018

The terms of this sequence satisfy the Diophantine equation k^2 + (k+1)^2 = m^2, which is equivalent to (2k+1)^2 - 2*m^2 = -1. Now, with x=2k+1 and y=m, we get the Pell-Fermat equation x^2 - 2*y^2 = -1. The solutions (x,y) of this equation are respectively in A002315 and A001653. The relation k = (x-1)/2 explains Lekraj Beedassy's Nov 25 2003 formula. Thus, the corresponding numbers m = y, which express the length of the hypotenuse of these right triangles (k,k+1,m) are in A001653. - Bernard Schott, Mar 10 2019

Members of Diophantine pairs. Related to solutions of p^2 = 2q^2 + 2 in natural numbers; p = p(n) = 2*sqrt(4T(a(n))+1), q = q(n) = sqrt(8*T(a(n))+1). Note that this implies that 4*T(a(n))+1 is a perfect square (numbers of the form 8*T(n)+1 are perfect squares for all n); these T(a(n))'s are the only solutions to the given Diophantine equation. - Steven Blasberg, Mar 04 2021

Limit_{n -> oo} b(n+1)/b(n) = 3+2*sqrt(2) for b = A155464, A155465, A155466.

Limit_{n -> oo} b(n)/b(n-1) = 3+2*sqrt(2) for b = A001652, A001653, A002315, A156156, A156157, A156158. - Klaus Brockhaus, Sep 23 2009

From Richard R. Forberg, Aug 14 2013: (Start)

Ratios b(n+1)/b(n) for all sequences of the form b(n) = 6*b(n-1) - b(n-2), for any initial values of b(0) and b(1), converge to this ratio.

Ratios b(n+1)/b(n) for all sequences of the form b(n) = 5*b(n-1) + 5*b(n-2) + b(n-3), for all b(0), b(1) and b(2) also converge to 3 + 2*sqrt(2). For example see A084158 (Pell Triangles).

Ratios of alternating values, b(n+2)/b(n), for all sequences of the form b(n) = 2*b(n-1) + b(n-2), also converge to 3 + 2*sqrt(2). These include A000129 (Pell Numbers). Also see A014176. (End)

Let ABCD be a square inscribed in a circle. When P is the midpoint of the arc AB, then the ratio (PC*PD)/(PA*PB) is equal to 3+2*sqrt(2). See the Mathematical Reflections link. - Michel Marcus, Jan 10 2017

Limit of ratios of successive terms of A001652 when n-> infinity. - Harvey P. Dale, Jun 16 2017; improved by Bernard Schott, Feb 28 2022

A quadratic integer with minimal polynomial x^2 - 6x + 1. - Charles R Greathouse IV, Jul 11 2020

Ratio between radii of the large circumscribed circle R and the small internal circle r drawn on the Sangaku tablet at Isaniwa Jinjya shrine in Ehime Prefecture (pictures in links). - Bernard Schott, Feb 25 2022

Named after the Newman-Shanks-Williams reference.

Also numbers k such that A125650(3*k^2) is an odd perfect square. Such numbers 3*k^2 form a bisection of A125651. - Alexander Adamchuk, Nov 30 2006

For positive n, a(n) corresponds to the sum of legs of near-isosceles primitive Pythagorean triangles (with consecutive legs). - Lekraj Beedassy, Feb 06 2007

Also numbers m such that m^2 is a centered 16-gonal number; or a number of the form 8k(k+1)+1, where k = A053141(m) = {0, 2, 14, 84, 492, 2870, ...}. - Alexander Adamchuk, Apr 21 2007

The lower principal convergents to 2^(1/2), beginning with 1/1, 7/5, 41/29, 239/169, comprise a strictly increasing sequence; numerators=A002315 and denominators=A001653. - Clark Kimberling, Aug 27 2008

The upper intermediate convergents to 2^(1/2) beginning with 10/7, 58/41, 338/239, 1970/1393 form a strictly decreasing sequence; essentially, numerators=A075870, denominators=A002315. - Clark Kimberling, Aug 27 2008

General recurrence is a(n) = (a(1)-1)*a(n-1) - a(n-2), a(1) >= 4, lim_{n->oo} a(n) = x*(k*x+1)^n, k = (a(1)-3), x = (1+sqrt((a(1)+1)/(a(1)-3)))/2. Examples in OEIS: a(1)=4 gives A002878. a(1)=5 gives A001834. a(1)=6 gives A030221. a(1)=7 gives A002315. a(1)=8 gives A033890. a(1)=9 gives A057080. a(1)=10 gives A057081. - Ctibor O. Zizka, Sep 02 2008

Numbers k such that (ceiling(sqrt(k*k/2)))^2 = (1+k*k)/2. - Ctibor O. Zizka, Nov 09 2009

A001109(n)/a(n) converges to cos^2(Pi/8) = 1/2 + 2^(1/2)/4. - Gary Detlefs, Nov 25 2009

The values 2(a(n)^2+1) are all perfect squares, whose square root is given by A075870. - Neelesh Bodas (neelesh.bodas(AT)gmail.com), Aug 13 2010

a(n) represents all positive integers K for which 2(K^2+1) is a perfect square. - Neelesh Bodas (neelesh.bodas(AT)gmail.com), Aug 13 2010

For positive n, a(n) equals the permanent of the (2n) X (2n) tridiagonal matrix with sqrt(8)'s along the main diagonal, and i's along the superdiagonal and subdiagonal (i is the imaginary unit). - John M. Campbell, Jul 08 2011

Integers k such that A000217(k-2) + A000217(k-1) + A000217(k) + A000217(k+1) is a square (cf. A202391). - Max Alekseyev, Dec 19 2011

Integer square roots of floor(k^2/2 - 1) or A047838. - Richard R. Forberg, Aug 01 2013

Remark: x^2 - 2*y^2 = +2*k^2, with positive k, and X^2 - 2*Y^2 = +2 reduce to the present Pell equation a^2 - 2*b^2 = -1 with x = k*X = 2*k*b and y = k*Y = k*a. (After a proposed solution for k = 3 by Alexander Samokrutov.) - Wolfdieter Lang, Aug 21 2015

If p is an odd prime, a((p-1)/2) == 1 (mod p). - Altug Alkan, Mar 17 2016

a(n)^2 + 1 = 2*b(n)^2, with b(n) = A001653(n), is the necessary and sufficient condition for a(n) to be a number k for which the diagonal of a 1 X k rectangle is an integer multiple of the diagonal of a 1 X 1 square. If squares are laid out thus along one diagonal of a horizontal 1 X a(n) rectangle, from the lower left corner to the upper right, the number of squares is b(n), and there will always be a square whose top corner lies exactly within the top edge of the rectangle. Numbering the squares 1 to b(n) from left to right, the number of the one square that has a corner in the top edge of the rectangle is c(n) = (2*b(n) - a(n) + 1)/2, which is A055997(n). The horizontal component of the corner of the square in the edge of the rectangle is also an integer, namely d(n) = a(n) - b(n), which is A001542(n). - David Pasino, Jun 30 2016

(a(n)^2)-th triangular number is a square; a(n)^2 = A008843(n) is a subsequence of A001108. - Jaroslav Krizek, Aug 05 2016

a(n-1)/A001653(n) is the closest rational approximation of sqrt(2) with a numerator not larger than a(n-1). These rational approximations together with those obtained from the sequences A001541 and A001542 give a complete set of closest rational approximations of sqrt(2) with restricted numerator or denominator. a(n-1)/A001653(n) < sqrt(2). - A.H.M. Smeets, May 28 2017

Consider the quadrant of a circle with center (0,0) bounded by the positive x and y axes. Now consider, as the start of a series, the circle contained within this quadrant which kisses both axes and the outer bounding circle. Consider further a succession of circles, each kissing the x-axis, the outer bounding circle, and the previous circle in the series. See Holmes link. The center of the n-th circle in this series is ((A001653(n)*sqrt(2)-1)/a(n-1), (A001653(n)*sqrt(2)-1)/a(n-1)^2), the y-coordinate also being its radius. It follows that a(n-1) is the cotangent of the angle subtended at point (0,0) by the center of the n-th circle in the series with respect to the x-axis. - Graham Holmes, Aug 31 2019

There is a link between the two sequences present at the numerator and at the denominator of the fractions that give the coordinates of the center of the kissing circles. A001653 is the sequence of numbers k such that 2*k^2 - 1 is a square, and here, we have 2*A001653(n)^2 - 1 = a(n-1)^2. - Bernard Schott, Sep 02 2019

Let G be a sequence satisfying G(i) = 2*G(i-1) + G(i-2) for arbitrary integers i and without regard to the initial values of G. Then a(n) = (G(i+4*n+2) - G(i))/(2*G(i+2*n+1)) as long as G(i+2*n+1) != 0. - Klaus Purath, Mar 25 2021

All of the positive integer solutions of a*b+1=x^2, a*c+1=y^2, b*c+1=z^2, x+z=2*y, 0 < a < b < c are given by a=A001542(n), b=A005319(n), c=A001542(n+1), x=A001541(n), y=A001653(n+1), z=A002315(n) with 0 < n. - Michael Somos, Jun 26 2022

3*a(n-1) is the n-th almost Lucas-cobalancing number of second type (see Tekcan and Erdem). - Stefano Spezia, Nov 26 2022

In Moret-Blanc (1881) on page 259 some solution of m^2 - 2n^2 = -1 are listed. The values of m give this sequence, and the values of n give A001653. - Michael Somos, Oct 25 2023

From Klaus Purath, May 11 2024: (Start)

For any two consecutive terms (a(n), a(n+1)) = (x,y): x^2 - 6xy + y^2 = 8 = A028884(1). In general, the following applies to all sequences (t) satisfying t(i) = 6t(i-1) - t(i-2) with t(0) = 1 and two consecutive terms (x,y): x^2 - 6xy + y^2 = A028884(t(1)-6). This includes and interprets the Feb 04 2014 comment on A001541 by Colin Barker as well as the Mar 17 2021 comment on A054489 by John O. Oladokun and the Sep 28 2008 formula on A038723 by Michael Somos. By analogy to this, for three consecutive terms (x,y,z) y^2 - xz = A028884(t(1)-6) always applies.

If (t) is a sequence satisfying t(k) = 7t(k-1) - 7t(k-2) + t(k-3) or t(k) = 6t(k-1) - t(k-2) without regard to initial values and including this sequence itself, then a(n) = (t(k+2n+1) - t(k))/(t(k+n+1) - t(k+n)) always applies, as long as t(k+n+1) - t(k+n) != 0 for integer k and n >= 0. (End)