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Hankel transform of A186338.

Apart from 1 and 2 it is conjectured that the only values present are congruent to 3 mod 6 (all these values are present).

From R. J. Mathar, Feb 25 2008: (Start)

Proof of the conjecture that this is 1 and 2 followed by A016945 follows by considering the 6 cases n=6k-1, 6k, 6k+1, 6k+2, 6k+3 or 6k+4, individual evaluation of A001840(n) with their corresponding 3 formulas quoted in A001840 in each case and searching for solutions of the form A001840(n) = t*n for integer t.

Example: A001840[6k+4]=A001840[3(2k+1)+1]=(2k+2)(6k+5)/2=t*(6k+4) implies t=k+7/6+1/[6(3k+2)] which cannot be solved in integers t and k. So numbers of the form 6k+4 are not members here. (End)

Also convolution of period six sequence 1,0,0,0,0,0,1,... (A079979) with sequence 1,2,5,8,14,20,30,40,... (A006918 without initial zero).

A factor in the Hankel transform A186339 of A186338.

a(n)*a(n-4) = 2*a(n-1)*a(n-3) = a(n-1)*a(n-3) + c(n)*a(n-2)^2, where c(3*n+2) = 2, c(3*n) = c(3*n+1) = 1 for all n in Z. - Michael Somos, Oct 19 2018

Also referred to as T(n) or C(n+1, 2) or binomial(n+1, 2) (preferred).

Also generalized hexagonal numbers: n*(2*n-1), n=0, +-1, +-2, +-3, ... Generalized k-gonal numbers are second k-gonal numbers and positive terms of k-gonal numbers interleaved, k >= 5. In this case k = 6. - Omar E. Pol, Sep 13 2011 and Aug 04 2012

Number of edges in complete graph of order n+1, K_{n+1}.

Number of legal ways to insert a pair of parentheses in a string of n letters. E.g., there are 6 ways for three letters: (a)bc, (ab)c, (abc), a(b)c, a(bc), ab(c). Proof: there are C(n+2,2) ways to choose where the parentheses might go, but n + 1 of them are illegal because the parentheses are adjacent. Cf. A002415.

For n >= 1, a(n) is also the genus of a nonsingular curve of degree n+2, such as the Fermat curve x^(n+2) + y^(n+2) = 1. - Ahmed Fares (ahmedfares(AT)my_deja.com), Feb 21 2001

From Harnack's theorem (1876), the number of branches of a nonsingular curve of order n is bounded by a(n-1)+1, and the bound can be achieved. See also A152947. - Benoit Cloitre, Aug 29 2002. Corrected by Robert McLachlan, Aug 19 2024

Number of tiles in the set of double-n dominoes. - Scott A. Brown, Sep 24 2002

Number of ways a chain of n non-identical links can be broken up. This is based on a similar problem in the field of proteomics: the number of ways a peptide of n amino acid residues can be broken up in a mass spectrometer. In general, each amino acid has a different mass, so AB and BC would have different masses. - James A. Raymond, Apr 08 2003

Triangular numbers - odd numbers = shifted triangular numbers; 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, ... - 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, ... = 0, 0, 1, 3, 6, 10, ... - Xavier Acloque, Oct 31 2003 [Corrected by Derek Orr, May 05 2015]

Centered polygonal numbers are the result of [number of sides * A000217 + 1]. E.g., centered pentagonal numbers (1,6,16,31,...) = 5 * (0,1,3,6,...) + 1. Centered heptagonal numbers (1,8,22,43,...) = 7 * (0,1,3,6,...) + 1. - Xavier Acloque, Oct 31 2003

Maximum number of lines formed by the intersection of n+1 planes. - Ron R. King, Mar 29 2004

Number of permutations of [n] which avoid the pattern 132 and have exactly 1 descent. - Mike Zabrocki, Aug 26 2004

Number of ternary words of length n-1 with subwords (0,1), (0,2) and (1,2) not allowed. - Olivier Gérard, Aug 28 2012

Number of ways two different numbers can be selected from the set {0,1,2,...,n} without repetition, or, number of ways two different numbers can be selected from the set {1,2,...,n} with repetition.

Conjecturally, 1, 6, 120 are the only numbers that are both triangular and factorial. - Christopher M. Tomaszewski (cmt1288(AT)comcast.net), Mar 30 2005

Binomial transform is {0, 1, 5, 18, 56, 160, 432, ...}, A001793 with one leading zero. - Philippe Deléham, Aug 02 2005

Each pair of neighboring terms adds to a perfect square. - Zak Seidov, Mar 21 2006

Number of transpositions in the symmetric group of n+1 letters, i.e., the number of permutations that leave all but two elements fixed. - Geoffrey Critzer, Jun 23 2006

With rho(n):=exp(i*2*Pi/n) (an n-th root of 1) one has, for n >= 1, rho(n)^a(n) = (-1)^(n+1). Just use the triviality a(2*k+1) == 0 (mod (2*k+1)) and a(2*k) == k (mod (2*k)).

a(n) is the number of terms in the expansion of (a_1 + a_2 + a_3)^(n-1). - Sergio Falcon, Feb 12 2007

a(n+1) is the number of terms in the complete homogeneous symmetric polynomial of degree n in 2 variables. - Richard Barnes, Sep 06 2017

The number of distinct handshakes in a room with n+1 people. - Mohammad K. Azarian, Apr 12 2007 [corrected, Joerg Arndt, Jan 18 2016]

Equal to the rank (minimal cardinality of a generating set) of the semigroup PT_n\S_n, where PT_n and S_n denote the partial transformation semigroup and symmetric group on [n]. - James East, May 03 2007

a(n) gives the total number of triangles found when cevians are drawn from a single vertex on a triangle to the side opposite that vertex, where n = the number of cevians drawn+1. For instance, with 1 cevian drawn, n = 1+1 = 2 and a(n)= 2*(2+1)/2 = 3 so there is a total of 3 triangles in the figure. If 2 cevians are drawn from one point to the opposite side, then n = 1+2 = 3 and a(n) = 3*(3+1)/2 = 6 so there is a total of 6 triangles in the figure. - Noah Priluck (npriluck(AT)gmail.com), Apr 30 2007

For n >= 1, a(n) is the number of ways in which n-1 can be written as a sum of three nonnegative integers if representations differing in the order of the terms are considered to be different. In other words, for n >= 1, a(n) is the number of nonnegative integral solutions of the equation x + y + z = n-1. - Amarnath Murthy, Apr 22 2001 (edited by Robert A. Beeler)

a(n) is the number of levels with energy n + 3/2 (in units of h*f0, with Planck's constant h and the oscillator frequency f0) of the three-dimensional isotropic harmonic quantum oscillator. See the comment by A. Murthy above: n = n1 + n2 + n3 with positive integers and ordered. Proof from the o.g.f. See the A. Messiah reference. - Wolfdieter Lang, Jun 29 2007

From Hieronymus Fischer, Aug 06 2007: (Start)

Numbers m >= 0 such that round(sqrt(2m+1)) - round(sqrt(2m)) = 1.

Numbers m >= 0 such that ceiling(2*sqrt(2m+1)) - 1 = 1 + floor(2*sqrt(2m)).

Numbers m >= 0 such that fract(sqrt(2m+1)) > 1/2 and fract(sqrt(2m)) < 1/2, where fract(x) is the fractional part of x (i.e., x - floor(x), x >= 0). (End)

If Y and Z are 3-blocks of an n-set X, then, for n >= 6, a(n-1) is the number of (n-2)-subsets of X intersecting both Y and Z. - Milan Janjic, Nov 09 2007

Equals row sums of triangle A143320, n > 0. - Gary W. Adamson, Aug 07 2008

a(n) is also an even perfect number in A000396 iff n is a Mersenne prime A000668. - Omar E. Pol, Sep 05 2008. Unnecessary assumption removed and clarified by Rick L. Shepherd, Apr 14 2025

Equals row sums of triangle A152204. - Gary W. Adamson, Nov 29 2008

The number of matches played in a round robin tournament: n*(n-1)/2 gives the number of matches needed for n players. Everyone plays against everyone else exactly once. - Georg Wrede (georg(AT)iki.fi), Dec 18 2008

-a(n+1) = E(2)*binomial(n+2,2) (n >= 0) where E(n) are the Euler numbers in the enumeration A122045. Viewed this way, a(n) is the special case k=2 in the sequence of diagonals in the triangle A153641. - Peter Luschny, Jan 06 2009

Equivalent to the first differences of successive tetrahedral numbers. See A000292. - Jeremy Cahill (jcahill(AT)inbox.com), Apr 15 2009

The general formula for alternating sums of powers is in terms of the Swiss-Knife polynomials P(n,x) A153641 2^(-n-1)(P(n,1)-(-1)^k P(n,2k+1)). Thus a(k) = |2^(-3)(P(2,1)-(-1)^k P(2,2k+1))|. - Peter Luschny, Jul 12 2009

a(n) is the smallest number > a(n-1) such that gcd(n,a(n)) = gcd(n,a(n-1)). If n is odd this gcd is n; if n is even it is n/2. - Franklin T. Adams-Watters, Aug 06 2009

Partial sums of A001477. - Juri-Stepan Gerasimov, Jan 25 2010. [A-number corrected by Omar E. Pol, Jun 05 2012]

The numbers along the right edge of Floyd's triangle are 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, .... - Paul Muljadi, Jan 25 2010

From Charlie Marion, Dec 03 2010: (Start)

More generally, a(2k+1) == j*(2j-1) (mod 2k+2j+1) and

a(2k) == [-k + 2j*(j-1)] (mod 2k+2j).

Column sums of:

1 3 5 7 9 ...

1 3 5 ...

1 ...

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

---------------

1 3 6 10 15 ...

Sum_{n>=1} 1/a(n)^2 = 4*Pi^2/3-12 = 12 less than the volume of a sphere with radius Pi^(1/3).

(End)

A004201(a(n)) = A000290(n); A004202(a(n)) = A002378(n). - Reinhard Zumkeller, Feb 12 2011

1/a(n+1), n >= 0, has e.g.f. -2*(1+x-exp(x))/x^2, and o.g.f. 2*(x+(1-x)*log(1-x))/x^2 (see the Stephen Crowley formula line). -1/(2*a(n+1)) is the z-sequence for the Sheffer triangle of the coefficients of the Bernoulli polynomials A196838/A196839. - Wolfdieter Lang, Oct 26 2011

From Charlie Marion, Feb 23 2012: (Start)

a(n) + a(A002315(k)*n + A001108(k+1)) = (A001653(k+1)*n + A001109(k+1))^2. For k=0 we obtain a(n) + a(n+1) = (n+1)^2 (identity added by N. J. A. Sloane on Feb 19 2004).

a(n) + a(A002315(k)*n - A055997(k+1)) = (A001653(k+1)*n - A001109(k))^2.

(End)

Plot the three points (0,0), (a(n), a(n+1)), (a(n+1), a(n+2)) to form a triangle. The area will be a(n+1)/2. - J. M. Bergot, May 04 2012

The sum of four consecutive triangular numbers, beginning with a(n)=n*(n+1)/2, minus 2 is 2*(n+2)^2. a(n)*a(n+2)/2 = a(a(n+1)-1). - J. M. Bergot, May 17 2012

(a(n)*a(n+3) - a(n+1)*a(n+2))*(a(n+1)*a(n+4) - a(n+2)*a(n+3))/8 = a((n^2+5*n+4)/2). - J. M. Bergot, May 18 2012

a(n)*a(n+1) + a(n+2)*a(n+3) + 3 = a(n^2 + 4*n + 6). - J. M. Bergot, May 22 2012

In general, a(n)*a(n+1) + a(n+k)*a(n+k+1) + a(k-1)*a(k) = a(n^2 + (k+2)*n + k*(k+1)). - Charlie Marion, Sep 11 2012

a(n)*a(n+3) + a(n+1)*a(n+2) = a(n^2 + 4*n + 2). - J. M. Bergot, May 22 2012

In general, a(n)*a(n+k) + a(n+1)*a(n+k-1) = a(n^2 + (k+1)*n + k-1). - Charlie Marion, Sep 11 2012

a(n)*a(n+2) + a(n+1)*a(n+3) = a(n^2 + 4*n + 3). - J. M. Bergot, May 22 2012

Three points (a(n),a(n+1)), (a(n+1),a(n)) and (a(n+2),a(n+3)) form a triangle with area 4*a(n+1). - J. M. Bergot, May 23 2012

a(n) + a(n+k) = (n+k)^2 - (k^2 + (2n-1)*k -2n)/2. For k=1 we obtain a(n) + a(n+1) = (n+1)^2 (see below). - Charlie Marion, Oct 02 2012

In n-space we can define a(n-1) nontrivial orthogonal projections. For example, in 3-space there are a(2)=3 (namely point onto line, point onto plane, line onto plane). - Douglas Latimer, Dec 17 2012

From James East, Jan 08 2013: (Start)

For n >= 1, a(n) is equal to the rank (minimal cardinality of a generating set) and idempotent rank (minimal cardinality of an idempotent generating set) of the semigroup P_n\S_n, where P_n and S_n denote the partition monoid and symmetric group on [n].

For n >= 3, a(n-1) is equal to the rank and idempotent rank of the semigroup T_n\S_n, where T_n and S_n denote the full transformation semigroup and symmetric group on [n].

(End)

For n >= 3, a(n) is equal to the rank and idempotent rank of the semigroup PT_n\S_n, where PT_n and S_n denote the partial transformation semigroup and symmetric group on [n]. - James East, Jan 15 2013

Conjecture: For n > 0, there is always a prime between A000217(n) and A000217(n+1). Sequence A065383 has the first 1000 of these primes. - Ivan N. Ianakiev, Mar 11 2013

The formula, a(n)*a(n+4k+2)/2 + a(k) = a(a(n+2k+1) - (k^2+(k+1)^2)), is a generalization of the formula a(n)*a(n+2)/2 = a(a(n+1)-1) in Bergot's comment dated May 17 2012. - Charlie Marion, Mar 28 2013

The series Sum_{k>=1} 1/a(k) = 2, given in a formula below by Jon Perry, Jul 13 2003, has partial sums 2*n/(n+1) (telescopic sum) = A022998(n)/A026741(n+1). - Wolfdieter Lang, Apr 09 2013

For odd m = 2k+1, we have the recurrence a(m*n + k) = m^2*a(n) + a(k). Corollary: If number T is in the sequence then so is 9*T+1. - Lekraj Beedassy, May 29 2013

Euler, in Section 87 of the Opera Postuma, shows that whenever T is a triangular number then 9*T + 1, 25*T + 3, 49*T + 6 and 81*T + 10 are also triangular numbers. In general, if T is a triangular number then (2*k + 1)^2*T + k*(k + 1)/2 is also a triangular number. - Peter Bala, Jan 05 2015

Using 1/b and 1/(b+2) will give a Pythagorean triangle with sides 2*b + 2, b^2 + 2*b, and b^2 + 2*b + 2. Set b=n-1 to give a triangle with sides of lengths 2*n,n^2-1, and n^2 + 1. One-fourth the perimeter = a(n) for n > 1. - J. M. Bergot, Jul 24 2013

a(n) = A028896(n)/6, where A028896(n) = s(n) - s(n-1) are the first differences of s(n) = n^3 + 3*n^2 + 2*n - 8. s(n) can be interpreted as the sum of the 12 edge lengths plus the sum of the 6 face areas plus the volume of an n X (n-1) X (n-2) rectangular prism. - J. M. Bergot, Aug 13 2013

Dimension of orthogonal group O(n+1). - Eric M. Schmidt, Sep 08 2013

Number of positive roots in the root system of type A_n (for n > 0). - Tom Edgar, Nov 05 2013

A formula for the r-th successive summation of k, for k = 1 to n, is binomial(n+r,r+1) [H. W. Gould]. - Gary Detlefs, Jan 02 2014

Also the alternating row sums of A095831. Also the alternating row sums of A055461, for n >= 1. - Omar E. Pol, Jan 26 2014

For n >= 3, a(n-2) is the number of permutations of 1,2,...,n with the distribution of up (1) - down (0) elements 0...011 (n-3 zeros), or, the same, a(n-2) is up-down coefficient {n,3} (see comment in A060351). - Vladimir Shevelev, Feb 14 2014

a(n) is the dimension of the vector space of symmetric n X n matrices. - Derek Orr, Mar 29 2014

Non-vanishing subdiagonal of A132440^2/2, aside from the initial zero. First subdiagonal of unsigned A238363. Cf. A130534 for relations to colored forests, disposition of flags on flagpoles, and colorings of the vertices of complete graphs. - Tom Copeland, Apr 05 2014

The number of Sidon subsets of {1,...,n+1} of size 2. - Carl Najafi, Apr 27 2014

Number of factors in the definition of the Vandermonde determinant V(x_1,x_2,...,x_n) = Product_{1 <= i < k <= n} x_i - x_k. - Tom Copeland, Apr 27 2014

Number of weak compositions of n into three parts. - Robert A. Beeler, May 20 2014

Suppose a bag contains a(n) red marbles and a(n+1) blue marbles, where a(n), a(n+1) are consecutive triangular numbers. Then, for n > 0, the probability of choosing two marbles at random and getting two red or two blue is 1/2. In general, for k > 2, let b(0) = 0, b(1) = 1 and, for n > 1, b(n) = (k-1)*b(n-1) - b(n-2) + 1. Suppose, for n > 0, a bag contains b(n) red marbles and b(n+1) blue marbles. Then the probability of choosing two marbles at random and getting two red or two blue is (k-1)/(k+1). See also A027941, A061278, A089817, A053142, A092521. - Charlie Marion, Nov 03 2014

Let O(n) be the oblong number n(n+1) = A002378 and S(n) the square number n^2 = A000290(n). Then a(4n) = O(3n) - O(n), a(4n+1) = S(3n+1) - S(n), a(4n+2) = S(3n+2) - S(n+1) and a(4n+3) = O(3n+2) - O(n). - Charlie Marion, Feb 21 2015

Consider the partition of the natural numbers into parts from the set S=(1,2,3,...,n). The length (order) of the signature of the resulting sequence is given by the triangular numbers. E.g., for n=10, the signature length is 55. - David Neil McGrath, May 05 2015

a(n) counts the partitions of (n-1) unlabeled objects into three (3) parts (labeled a,b,c), e.g., a(5)=15 for (n-1)=4. These are (aaaa),(bbbb),(cccc),(aaab),(aaac),(aabb),(aacc),(aabc),(abbc),(abcc),(abbb),(accc),(bbcc),(bccc),(bbbc). - David Neil McGrath, May 21 2015

Conjecture: the sequence is the genus/deficiency of the sinusoidal spirals of index n which are algebraic curves. The value 0 corresponds to the case of the Bernoulli Lemniscate n=2. So the formula conjectured is (n-1)(n-2)/2. - Wolfgang Tintemann, Aug 02 2015

Conjecture: Let m be any positive integer. Then, for each n = 1,2,3,... the set {Sum_{k=s..t} 1/k^m: 1 <= s <= t <= n} has cardinality a(n) = n*(n+1)/2; in other words, all the sums Sum_{k=s..t} 1/k^m with 1 <= s <= t are pairwise distinct. (I have checked this conjecture via a computer and found no counterexample.) - Zhi-Wei Sun, Sep 09 2015

The Pisano period lengths of reading the sequence modulo m seem to be A022998(m). - R. J. Mathar, Nov 29 2015

For n >= 1, a(n) is the number of compositions of n+4 into n parts avoiding the part 2. - Milan Janjic, Jan 07 2016

In this sequence only 3 is prime. - Fabian Kopp, Jan 09 2016

Suppose you are playing Bulgarian Solitaire (see A242424 and Chamberland's and Gardner's books) and, for n > 0, you are starting with a single pile of a(n) cards. Then the number of operations needed to reach the fixed state {n, n-1,...,1} is a(n-1). For example, {6}->{5,1}->{4,2}->{3,2,1}. - Charlie Marion, Jan 14 2016

Numbers k such that 8k + 1 is a square. - Juri-Stepan Gerasimov, Apr 09 2016

Every perfect cube is the difference of the squares of two consecutive triangular numbers. 1^2-0^2 = 1^3, 3^2-1^2 = 2^3, 6^2-3^2 = 3^3. - Miquel Cerda, Jun 26 2016

For n > 1, a(n) = tau_n(k*) where tau_n(k) is the number of ordered n-factorizations of k and k* is the square of a prime. For example, tau_3(4) = tau_3(9) = tau_3(25) = tau_3(49) = 6 (see A007425) since the number of divisors of 4, 9, 25, and 49's divisors is 6, and a(3) = 6. - Melvin Peralta, Aug 29 2016

In an (n+1)-dimensional hypercube, number of two-dimensional faces congruent with a vertex (see also A001788). - Stanislav Sykora, Oct 23 2016

Generalizations of the familiar formulas, a(n) + a(n+1) = (n+1)^2 (Feb 19 2004) and a(n)^2 + a(n+1)^2 = a((n+1)^2) (Nov 22 2006), follow: a(n) + a(n+2k-1) + 4a(k-1) = (n+k)^2 + 6a(k-1) and a(n)^2 + a(n+2k-1)^2 + (4a(k-1))^2 + 3a(k-1) = a((n+k)^2 + 6a(k-1)). - Charlie Marion, Nov 27 2016

a(n) is also the greatest possible number of diagonals in a polyhedron with n+4 vertices. - Vladimir Letsko, Dec 19 2016

For n > 0, 2^5 * (binomial(n+1,2))^2 represents the first integer in a sum of 2*(2*n + 1)^2 consecutive integers that equals (2*n + 1)^6. - Patrick J. McNab, Dec 25 2016

Does not satisfy Benford's law (cf. Ross, 2012). - N. J. A. Sloane, Feb 12 2017

Number of ordered triples (a,b,c) of positive integers not larger than n such that a+b+c = 2n+1. - Aviel Livay, Feb 13 2017

Number of inequivalent tetrahedral face colorings using at most n colors so that no color appears only once. - David Nacin, Feb 22 2017

Also the Wiener index of the complete graph K_{n+1}. - Eric W. Weisstein, Sep 07 2017

Number of intersections between the Bernstein polynomials of degree n. - Eric Desbiaux, Apr 01 2018

a(n) is the area of a triangle with vertices at (1,1), (n+1,n+2), and ((n+1)^2, (n+2)^2). - Art Baker, Dec 06 2018

For n > 0, a(n) is the smallest k > 0 such that n divides numerator of (1/a(1) + 1/a(2) + ... + 1/a(n-1) + 1/k). It should be noted that 1/1 + 1/3 + 1/6 + ... + 2/(n(n+1)) = 2n/(n+1). - Thomas Ordowski, Aug 04 2019

Upper bound of the number of lines in an n-homogeneous supersolvable line arrangement (see Theorem 1.1 in Dimca). - Stefano Spezia, Oct 04 2019

For n > 0, a(n+1) is the number of lattice points on a triangular grid with side length n. - Wesley Ivan Hurt, Aug 12 2020

From Michael Chu, May 04 2022: (Start)

Maximum number of distinct nonempty substrings of a string of length n.

Maximum cardinality of the sumset A+A, where A is a set of n numbers. (End)

a(n) is the number of parking functions of size n avoiding the patterns 123, 132, and 312. - Lara Pudwell, Apr 10 2023

Suppose two rows, each consisting of n evenly spaced dots, are drawn in parallel. Suppose we bijectively draw lines between the dots of the two rows. For n >= 1, a(n - 1) is the maximal possible number of intersections between the lines. Equivalently, the maximal number of inversions in a permutation of [n]. - Sela Fried, Apr 18 2023

The following equation complements the generalization in Bala's Comment (Jan 05 2015). (2k + 1)^2*a(n) + a(k) = a((2k + 1)*n + k). - Charlie Marion, Aug 28 2023

a(n) + a(n+k) + a(k-1) + (k-1)*n = (n+k)^2. For k = 1, we have a(n) + a(n+1) = (n+1)^2. - Charlie Marion, Nov 17 2023

a(n+1)/3 is the expected number of steps to escape from a linear row of n positions starting at a random location and randomly performing steps -1 or +1 with equal probability. - Hugo Pfoertner, Jul 22 2025

a(n+1) is the number of nonnegative integer solutions to p + q + r = n. By Sylvester's law of inertia, it is also the number of congruence classes of real symmetric n-by-n matrices or equivalently, the number of symmetric bilinear forms on a real n-dimensional vector space. - Paawan Jethva, Jul 24 2025

Old name: integers 1 to k followed by integers 1 to k+1 etc. (a fractal sequence).

Start counting again and again.

This is a "doubly fractal sequence" - see the Franklin T. Adams-Watters link.

The PARI functions t1, t2 can be used to read a square array T(n,k) (n >= 1, k >= 1) by antidiagonals downwards: n -> T(t1(n), t2(n)). - Michael Somos, Aug 23 2002

Reading this sequence as the antidiagonals of a rectangular array, row n is (n,n,n,...); this is the weight array (Cf. A144112) of the array A127779 (rectangular). - Clark Kimberling, Sep 16 2008

The upper trim of an arbitrary fractal sequence s is s, but the lower trim of s, although a fractal sequence, need not be s itself. However, the lower trim of A002260 is A002260. (The upper trim of s is what remains after the first occurrence of each term is deleted; the lower trim of s is what remains after all 0's are deleted from the sequence s-1.) - Clark Kimberling, Nov 02 2009

Eigensequence of the triangle = A001710 starting (1, 3, 12, 60, 360, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, Aug 02 2010

The triangle sums, see A180662 for their definitions, link this triangle of natural numbers with twenty-three different sequences, see the crossrefs. The mirror image of this triangle is A004736. - Johannes W. Meijer, Sep 22 2010

A002260 is the self-fission of the polynomial sequence (q(n,x)), where q(n,x) = x^n + x^(n-1) + ... + x + 1. See A193842 for the definition of fission. - Clark Kimberling, Aug 07 2011

Sequence B is called a reluctant sequence of sequence A, if B is triangle array read by rows: row number k coincides with first k elements of the sequence A. Sequence A002260 is reluctant sequence of sequence 1,2,3,... (A000027). - Boris Putievskiy, Dec 12 2012

This is the maximal sequence of positive integers, such that once an integer k has occurred, the number of k's always exceeds the number of (k+1)'s for the remainder of the sequence, with the first occurrence of the integers being in order. - Franklin T. Adams-Watters, Oct 23 2013

A002260 are the k antidiagonal numerators of rationals in Cantor's proof of 1-to-1 correspondence between rationals and naturals; the denominators are k-numerator+1. - Adriano Caroli, Mar 24 2015

T(n,k) gives the distance to the largest triangular number < n. - Ctibor O. Zizka, Apr 09 2020

Note the distinctions between this and "n has exactly three prime factors" (A014612) or "n has exactly three distinct prime factors." (A033992). The word "sphenic" also means "shaped like a wedge" [American Heritage Dictionary] as in dentation with "sphenic molars." - Jonathan Vos Post, Sep 11 2005

Also the volume of a sphenic brick. A sphenic brick is a rectangular parallelepiped whose sides are components of a sphenic number, namely whose sides are three distinct primes. Example: The distinct prime triple (3,5,7) produces a 3x5x7 unit brick which has volume 105 cubic units. 3-D analog of 2-D A037074 Product of twin primes, per Cino Hilliard's comment. Compare with 3-D A107768 Golden 3-almost primes = Volumes of bricks (rectangular parallelepipeds) each of whose faces has golden semiprime area. - Jonathan Vos Post, Jan 08 2007

Sum(n>=1, 1/a(n)^s) = (1/6)*(P(s)^3 - P(3*s) - 3*(P(s)*P(2*s)-P(3*s))), where P is prime zeta function. - Enrique Pérez Herrero, Jun 28 2012

Also numbers n with A001222(n)=3 and A001221(n)=3. - Enrique Pérez Herrero, Jun 28 2012

n = 265550 is the smallest n with a(n) (=1279789) < A006881(n) (=1279793). - Peter Dolland, Apr 11 2020

Also number of tripods (trees with exactly 3 leaves) on n vertices. - Eric W. Weisstein, Mar 05 2011

Also number of partitions of n+3 into exactly 3 parts; number of partitions of n in which the greatest part is less than or equal to 3; and the number of nonnegative solutions to b + 2c + 3d = n.

Also a(n) gives number of partitions of n+6 into 3 distinct parts and number of partitions of 2n+9 into 3 distinct and odd parts, e.g., 15 = 11 + 3 + 1 = 9 + 5 + 1 = 7 + 5 + 3. - Jon Perry, Jan 07 2004

Also bracelets with n+3 beads 3 of which are red (so there are 2 possibilities with 5 beads).

More generally, the number of partitions of n into at most k parts is also the number of partitions of n+k into k positive parts, the number of partitions of n+k in which the greatest part is k, the number of partitions of n in which the greatest part is less than or equal to k, the number of partitions of n+k(k+1)/2 into exactly k distinct positive parts, the number of nonnegative solutions to b + 2c + 3d + ... + kz = n and the number of nonnegative solutions to 2c + 3d + ... + kz <= n. - Henry Bottomley, Apr 17 2001

Also coefficient of q^n in the expansion of (m choose 3)_q as m goes to infinity. - Y. Kelly Itakura (yitkr(AT)mta.ca), Aug 21 2002

From Winston C. Yang (winston(AT)cs.wisc.edu), Apr 30 2002: (Start)

Write 1,2,3,4,... in a hexagonal spiral around 0, then a(n) for n > 0 is formed by the folding points (including the initial 1). The spiral begins:

.

85--84--83--82--81--80

/ \

86 56--55--54--53--52 79

/ / \ \

87 57 33--32--31--30 51 78

/ / / \ \ \

88 58 34 16--15--14 29 50 77

/ / / / \ \ \ \

89 59 35 17 5---4 13 28 49 76

/ / / / / \ \ \ \ \

90 60 36 18 6 0 3 12 27 48 75

/ / / / / / / / / / /

91 61 37 19 7 1---2 11 26 47 74

\ \ \ \ / / / /

62 38 20 8---9--10 25 46 73

\ \ \ / / /

63 39 21--22--23--24 45 72

\ \ / /

64 40--41--42--43--44 71

\ /

65--66--67--68--69--70

.

a(p) is maximal number of hexagons in a polyhex with perimeter at most 2p + 6. (End)

a(n-3) is the number of partitions of n into 3 distinct parts, where 0 is allowed as a part. E.g., at n=9, we can write 8+1+0, 7+2+0, 6+3+0, 4+5+0, 1+2+6, 1+3+5 and 2+3+4, which is a(6)=7. - Jon Perry, Jul 08 2003

a(n) gives number of partitions of n+6 into parts <=3 where each part is used at least once (subtract 6=1+2+3 from n). - Jon Perry, Jul 03 2004

This is also the number of partitions of n+3 into exactly 3 parts (there is a 1-to-1 correspondence between the number of partitions of n+3 in which the greatest part is 3 and the number of partitions of n+3 into exactly three parts). - Graeme McRae, Feb 07 2005

Apply the Riordan array (1/(1-x^3),x) to floor((n+2)/2). - Paul Barry, Apr 16 2005

Also, number of triangles that can be created with odd perimeter 3,5,7,9,11,... with all sides whole numbers. Note that triangles with even perimeter can be generated from the odd ones by increasing each side by 1. E.g., a(1) = 1 because perimeter 3 can make {1,1,1} 1 triangle. a(4) = 3 because perimeter 9 can make {1,4,4} {2,3,4} {3,3,3} 3 possible triangles. - Bruce Love (bruce_love(AT)ofs.edu.sg), Nov 20 2006

Also number of nonnegative solutions of the Diophantine equation x+2*y+3*z=n, cf. Pólya/Szegő reference.

From Vladimir Shevelev, Apr 23 2011: (Start)

Also a(n-3), n >= 3, is the number of non-equivalent necklaces of 3 beads each of them painted by one of n colors.

The sequence {a(n-3), n >= 3} solves the so-called Reis problem about convex k-gons in case k=3 (see our comment to A032279).

a(n-3) (n >= 3) is an essentially unimprovable upper estimate for the number of distinct values of the permanent in (0,1)-circulants of order n with three 1's in every row. (End)

A001399(n) is the number of 3-tuples (w,x,y) having all terms in {0,...,n} and w = 2*x+3*y. - Clark Kimberling, Jun 04 2012

Also, for n >= 3, a(n-3) is the number of the distinct triangles in an n-gon, see the Ngaokrajang links. - Kival Ngaokrajang, Mar 16 2013

Also, a(n) is the total number of 5-curve coin patterns (5C4S type: 5 curves covering full 4 coins and symmetry) packing into fountain of coins base (n+3). See illustration in links. - Kival Ngaokrajang, Oct 16 2013

Also a(n) = half the number of minimal zero sequences for Z_n of length 3 [Ponomarenko]. - N. J. A. Sloane, Feb 25 2014

Also, a(n) equals the number of linearly-independent terms at 2n-th order in the power series expansion of an Octahedral Rotational Energy Surface (cf. Harter & Patterson). - Bradley Klee, Jul 31 2015

Also Molien series for invariants of finite Coxeter groups D_3 and A_3. - N. J. A. Sloane, Jan 10 2016

Number of different distributions of n+6 identical balls in 3 boxes as x,y,z where 0 < x < y < z. - Ece Uslu and Esin Becenen, Jan 11 2016

a(n) is also the number of partitions of 2*n with <= n parts and no part >= 4. The bijection to partitions of n with no part >= 4 is: 1 <-> 2, 2 <-> 1 + 3, 3 <-> 3 + 3 (observing the order of these rules). The <- direction uses the following fact for partitions of 2*n with <= n parts and no part >=4: for each part 1 there is a part 3, and an even number (including 0) of remaining parts 3. - Wolfdieter Lang, May 21 2019

List of the terms in A000567(n>=1), A049450(n>=1), A033428(n>=1), A049451(n>=1), A045944(n>=1), and A003215(n) in nondecreasing order. List of the numbers A056105(n)-1, A056106(n)-1, A056107(n)-1, A056108(n)-1, A056109(n)-1, and A003215(m) with n >= 1 and m >= 0 in nondecreasing order. Numbers of the forms 3n*(n-1)+1, n*(3n-2), n*(3n-1), 3n^2, n*(3n+1), n*(3n+2) with n >= 1 listed in nondecreasing order. Integers m such that lattice points from 1 through m on a hexagonal spiral starting at 1 forms a convex polygon. - Ya-Ping Lu, Jan 24 2024

a(n+4) is the number of inequivalent ways of coloring the vertices of a regular 4-dimensional simplex with n colors, under the full symmetric group S_5 of order 120, with cycle index (x1^5 + 10*x1^3*x2 + 20*x1^2*x3 + 15*x1*x2^2 + 30*x1*x4 + 20*x2*x3 + 24*x5)/120.

Figurate numbers based on 5-dimensional regular simplex. According to Hyun Kwang Kim, it appears that every nonnegative integer can be represented as the sum of g = 10 of these 5-simplex(n) numbers (compared with g=3 for triangular numbers, g=5 for tetrahedral numbers and g=8 for pentatope numbers). - Jonathan Vos Post, Nov 28 2004

The convolution of the nonnegative integers (A001477) with the tetrahedral numbers (A000292), which are the convolution of the nonnegative integers with themselves (making appropriate allowances for offsets of all sequences). - Graeme McRae, Jun 07 2006

a(n) is the number of terms in the expansion of (a_1 + a_2 + a_3 + a_4 + a_5 + a_6)^n. - Sergio Falcon, Feb 12 2007

Product of five consecutive numbers divided by 120. - Artur Jasinski, Dec 02 2007

Equals binomial transform of [1, 5, 10, 10, 5, 1, 0, 0, 0, ...]. - Gary W. Adamson, Feb 02 2009

Equals INVERTi transform of A099242 (1, 7, 34, 153, 686, 3088, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, Feb 02 2009

For a team with n basketball players (n>=5), this sequence is the number of possible starting lineups of 5 players, without regard to the positions (center, forward, guard) of the players. - Mohammad K. Azarian, Sep 10 2009

a(n) is the number of different patterns, regardless of order, when throwing (n-5) 6-sided dice. For example, one die can display the 6 numbers 1, 2, ..., 6; two dice can display the 21 digit-pairs 11, 12, ..., 56, 66. - Ian Duff, Nov 16 2009

Sum of the first n pentatope numbers (1, 5, 15, 35, 70, 126, 210, ...), see A000332. - Paul Muljadi, Dec 16 2009

Sum_{n>=0} a(n)/n! = e/120. Sum_{n>=4} a(n)/(n-4)! = 501*e/120. See A067764 regarding the second ratio. - Richard R. Forberg, Dec 26 2013

For a set of integers {1,2,...,n}, a(n) is the sum of the 2 smallest elements of each subset with 4 elements, which is 3*C(n+1,5) (for n>=4), hence a(n) = 3*C(n+1,5) = 3*A000389(n+1). - Serhat Bulut, Mar 11 2015

a(n) = fallfac(n,5)/5! is also the number of independent components of an antisymmetric tensor of rank 5 and dimension n >= 1. Here fallfac is the falling factorial. - Wolfdieter Lang, Dec 10 2015

Number of compositions (ordered partitions) of n+1 into exactly 6 parts. - Juergen Will, Jan 02 2016

Number of weak compositions (ordered weak partitions) of n-5 into exactly 6 parts. - Juergen Will, Jan 02 2016

a(n+3) could be the general number of all geodetic graphs of diameter n>=2 homeomorphic to the Petersen Graph. - Carlos Enrique Frasser, May 24 2018

From Robert A. Russell, Dec 24 2020: (Start)

a(n) is the number of chiral pairs of colorings of the 5 tetrahedral facets (or vertices) of the regular 4-D simplex (5-cell, pentachoron, Schläfli symbol {3,3,3}) using subsets of a set of n colors. Each member of a chiral pair is a reflection but not a rotation of the other.

a(n+4) is the number of unoriented colorings of the 5 tetrahedral facets of the regular 4-D simplex (5-cell, pentachoron) using subsets of a set of n colors. Each chiral pair is counted as one when enumerating unoriented arrangements. (End)

For integer m and positive integer r >= 4, the polynomial a(n) + a(n + m) + a(n + 2*m) + ... + a(n + r*m) in n has its zeros on the vertical line Re(n) = (4 - r*m)/2 in the complex plane. - Peter Bala, Jun 02 2024

Also a(n) is the number of nondegenerate triangles that can be made from rods of lengths 1 to n+1. - Alfred Bruckstein; corrected by Hans Rudolf Widmer, Nov 02 2023

Also number of circumscribable (or escrible) quadrilaterals that can be made from rods of length 1,2,3,4,...,n. - Antreas P. Hatzipolakis (xpolakis(AT)otenet.gr)

Also number of 2 X n binary matrices up to row and column permutation (see the link: Binary matrices up to row and column permutations). - Vladeta Jovovic

Also partial sum of alternate triangular numbers (1, 3, 1+6, 3+10, 1+6+15, 3+10+21, etc.); and also number of triangles pointing in opposite direction to largest triangle in triangular matchstick arrangement of side n+2 (cf. A002717, also the Larsen article). - Henry Bottomley, Aug 08 2000

Ordered union of A002412(n+1) and A016061(n+1). - Lekraj Beedassy, Oct 13 2003

Also Molien series for certain 4-D representation of cyclic group of order 2. - N. J. A. Sloane, Jun 12 2004

From Radu Grigore (radugrigore(AT)gmail.com), Jun 19 2004: (Start)

a(n) = floor( (n+2)*(n+4)*(2n+3) / 24 ). E.g., a(2) = floor(4*6*7/24) = 7 because there are 7 upside down triangles (6 of size one and 1 of size two) in the matchstick figure:

/\

/\/\

/\/\/\

/\/\/\/\

(End)

Number of non-congruent non-parallelogram trapezoids with positive integer sides (trapezints) and perimeter 2n+5. Also with perimeter 2n+8. - Michael Somos, May 12 2005

a(n) = A108561(n+4,n) for n > 0. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jun 10 2005

Also number of nonisomorphic planes with n points and 2 lines. E.g., a(0)=1 because with no points, we just have two empty lines. a(1)=3 because the one point may belong to 0, 1 or 2 lines. a(2)=7 because there are 7 ways to determine which of 2 points belong to which of 2 lines, up to isomorphism, i.e., up to a bijection f on the sets of points and a bijection g on the sets of lines, such that A belongs to a iff f(A) belongs to g(a). - Bjorn Kjos-Hanssen (bjorn(AT)math.uconn.edu), Nov 10 2005

a(n-2) is the number of ways to pick two non-overlapping subwords of equal nonzero length from a word of length n. E.g., a(5-2)=a(3)=13 since the word 12345 of length 5 has the following subword pairs: 1,2; 1,3; 1,4; 1,5; 2,3; 2,4; 2,5; 3,4; 3,5; 4,5; 12,34; 12,45; 23,45. - Michael Somos, Oct 22 2006

Partial sums of A002620. - G.H.J. van Rees (vanrees(AT)cs.umanitoba.ca), Feb 16 2007

From Philippe LALLOUET (philip.lallouet(AT)orange.fr), Oct 19 2007: (Start)

Also number of squares of any size in a staircase of n steps built with unit squares:

||__

||__|

||__||

For a staircase of 3 steps 6 squares of size 1 and 1 square of size 2, hence c(3)=7.

Columns sums of:

1 3 6 10 15 21 28 ...

1 3 6 10 15 ...

1 3 6 ...

1 ...

---------------------

1 3 7 13 22 34 50 ...

(End)

a(n) = sum of row n+1 of triangle A134446. Also, binomial transform of [1, 2, 2, 0, 1, -2, 4, -8, 16, -32, ...]. - Gary W. Adamson, Oct 25 2007

Let b(n) be the number of 4-tuples (w,x,y,z) having all terms in {1,...,n} and 2w=x+y+z+n; then b(n+3) = a(n) for n >= 0. - Clark Kimberling, May 08 2012

a(n) is the number of 3-tuples (w,x,y) having all terms in {0,...,n} and w >= x+y and x <= y. - Clark Kimberling, Jun 04 2012

Also, number of unlabeled bipartite graphs with two left vertices and n right vertices. - Yavuz Oruc, Jan 14 2018

Also number of triples (x,y,z) with 0 < x <= y <= z <= n + 1, x + y > z. - Ralf Steiner, Feb 06 2020

Bisections A002412 and A016061: a(2*k) = k*(k+1)*(4*k-1)/3! and a(2*k+1) = (k+1)*(k+2)*(4*k+9)/3!, for k >= 0. See the Woolhouse link, II. Solution by Stephen Watson, p. 65, with index shifts. - Mo Li, Apr 02 2020

Also, Wiener index of the square of the path graph P_(n+2). - Allan Bickle, Aug 01 2020

Maximum Wiener index of all maximal 2-degenerate graphs with n+2 vertices. (A maximal 2-degenerate graph can be constructed from a 2-clique by iteratively adding a new 2-leaf (vertex of degree 2) adjacent to two existing vertices.) The extremal graphs are squares of paths, so the bound also applies to 2-trees and maximal outerplanar graphs. - Allan Bickle, Sep 15 2022