cp's OEIS Frontend

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

Euler (1809) not only gives the first ten or so terms of the sequence, he also proves both recurrences a(n) = (n-1)*(a(n-1) + a(n-2)) and a(n) = n*a(n-1) + (-1)^n.

a(n) is the permanent of the matrix with 0 on the diagonal and 1 elsewhere. - Yuval Dekel, Nov 01 2003

a(n) is the number of desarrangements of length n. A desarrangement of length n is a permutation p of {1,2,...,n} for which the smallest of all the ascents of p (taken to be n if there are no ascents) is even. Example: a(3) = 2 because we have 213 and 312 (smallest ascents at i = 2). See the J. Désarménien link and the Bona reference (p. 118). - Emeric Deutsch, Dec 28 2007

a(n) is the number of deco polyominoes of height n and having in the last column an even number of cells. A deco polyomino is a directed column-convex polyomino in which the height, measured along the diagonal, is attained only in the last column. - Emeric Deutsch, Dec 28 2007

Attributed to Nicholas Bernoulli in connection with a probability problem that he presented. See Problem #15, p. 494, in "History of Mathematics" by David M. Burton, 6th edition. - Mohammad K. Azarian, Feb 25 2008

a(n) is the number of permutations p of {1,2,...,n} with p(1)!=1 and having no right-to-left minima in consecutive positions. Example a(3) = 2 because we have 231 and 321. - Emeric Deutsch, Mar 12 2008

a(n) is the number of permutations p of {1,2,...,n} with p(n)! = n and having no left to right maxima in consecutive positions. Example a(3) = 2 because we have 312 and 321. - Emeric Deutsch, Mar 12 2008

Number of wedged (n-1)-spheres in the homotopy type of the Boolean complex of the complete graph K_n. - Bridget Tenner, Jun 04 2008

The only prime number in the sequence is 2. - Howard Berman (howard_berman(AT)hotmail.com), Nov 08 2008

From Emeric Deutsch, Apr 02 2009: (Start)

a(n) is the number of permutations of {1,2,...,n} having exactly one small ascent. A small ascent in a permutation (p_1,p_2,...,p_n) is a position i such that p_{i+1} - p_i = 1. (Example: a(3) = 2 because we have 312 and 231; see the Charalambides reference, pp. 176-180.) [See also David, Kendall and Barton, p. 263. - N. J. A. Sloane, Apr 11 2014]

a(n) is the number of permutations of {1,2,...,n} having exactly one small descent. A small descent in a permutation (p_1,p_2,...,p_n) is a position i such that p_i - p_{i+1} = 1. (Example: a(3)=2 because we have 132 and 213.) (End)

For n > 2, a(n) + a(n-1) = A000255(n-1); where A000255 = (1, 1, 3, 11, 53, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, Apr 16 2009

Connection to A002469 (game of mousetrap with n cards): A002469(n) = (n-2)*A000255(n-1) + A000166(n). (Cf. triangle A159610.) - Gary W. Adamson, Apr 17 2009

From Emeric Deutsch, Jul 18 2009: (Start)

a(n) is the sum of the values of the largest fixed points of all non-derangements of length n-1. Example: a(4)=9 because the non-derangements of length 3 are 123, 132, 213, and 321, having largest fixed points 3, 1, 3, and 2, respectively.

a(n) is the number of non-derangements of length n+1 for which the difference between the largest and smallest fixed point is 2. Example: a(3) = 2 because we have 1'43'2 and 32'14'; a(4) = 9 because we have 1'23'54, 1'43'52, 1'53'24, 52'34'1, 52'14'3, 32'54'1, 213'45', 243'15', and 413'25' (the extreme fixed points are marked).

(End)

a(n), n >= 1, is also the number of unordered necklaces with n beads, labeled differently from 1 to n, where each necklace has >= 2 beads. This produces the M2 multinomial formula involving partitions without part 1 given below. Because M2(p) counts the permutations with cycle structure given by partition p, this formula gives the number of permutations without fixed points (no 1-cycles), i.e., the derangements, hence the subfactorials with their recurrence relation and inputs. Each necklace with no beads is assumed to contribute a factor 1 in the counting, hence a(0)=1. This comment derives from a family of recurrences found by Malin Sjodahl for a combinatorial problem for certain quark and gluon diagrams (Feb 27 2010). - Wolfdieter Lang, Jun 01 2010

From Emeric Deutsch, Sep 06 2010: (Start)

a(n) is the number of permutations of {1,2,...,n, n+1} starting with 1 and having no successions. A succession in a permutation (p_1,p_2,...,p_n) is a position i such that p_{i+1} - p_i = 1. Example: a(3)=2 because we have 1324 and 1432.

a(n) is the number of permutations of {1,2,...,n} that do not start with 1 and have no successions. A succession in a permutation (p_1,p_2,...,p_n) is a position i such that p_{i+1} - p_i = 1. Example: a(3)=2 because we have 213 and 321.

(End)

Increasing colored 1-2 trees with choice of two colors for the rightmost branch of nonleave except on the leftmost path, there is no vertex of outdegree one on the leftmost path. - Wenjin Woan, May 23 2011

a(n) is the number of zeros in n-th row of the triangle in A170942, n > 0. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Mar 29 2012

a(n) is the maximal number of totally mixed Nash equilibria in games of n players, each with 2 pure options. - Raimundas Vidunas, Jan 22 2014

Convolution of sequence A135799 with the sequence generated by 1+x^2/(2*x+1). - Thomas Baruchel, Jan 08 2016

The number of interior lattice points of the subpolytope of the n-dimensional permutohedron whose vertices correspond to permutations avoiding 132 and 312. - Robert Davis, Oct 05 2016

Consider n circles of different radii, where each circle is either put inside some bigger circle or contains a smaller circle inside it (no common points are allowed). Then a(n) gives the number of such combinations. - Anton Zakharov, Oct 12 2016

If we partition the permutations of [n+1] in A000240 according to their starting digit, we will get (n+1) equinumerous classes each of size a(n), i.e., A000240(n+1) = (n+1)*a(n), hence a(n) is the size of each class of permutations of [n+1] in A000240. For example, for n = 4 we have 45 = 5*9. - Enrique Navarrete, Jan 10 2017

Call d_n1 the permutations of [n] that have the substring n1 but no substring in {12,23,...,(n-1)n}. If we partition them according to their starting digit, we will get (n-1) equinumerous classes each of size A000166(n-2) (the class starting with the digit 1 is empty since we must have the substring n1). Hence d_n1 = (n-1)*A000166(n-2) and A000166(n-2) is the size of each nonempty class in d_n1. For example, d_71 = 6*44 = 264, so there are 264 permutations in d_71 distributed in 6 nonempty classes of size A000166(5) = 44. (To get permutations in d_n1 recursively from more basic ones see the link "Forbidden Patterns" below.) - Enrique Navarrete, Jan 15 2017

Also the number of maximum matchings and minimum edge covers in the n-crown graph. - Eric W. Weisstein, Jun 14 and Dec 24 2017

The sequence a(n) taken modulo a positive integer k is periodic with exact period dividing k when k is even and dividing 2*k when k is odd. This follows from the congruence a(n+k) = (-1)^k*a(n) (mod k) for all n and k, which in turn is easily proved by induction making use of the recurrence a(n) = n*a(n-1) + (-1)^n. - Peter Bala, Nov 21 2017

a(n) is the number of distinct possible solutions for a directed, no self loop containing graph (not necessarily connected) that has n vertices, and each vertex has an in- and out-degree of exactly 1. - Patrik Holopainen, Sep 18 2018

a(n) is the dimension of the kernel of the random-to-top and random-to-random shuffling operators over a collection of n objects (in a vector space of size n!), as noticed by M. Wachs and V. Reiner. See the Reiner, Saliola and Welker reference below. - Nadia Lafreniere, Jul 18 2019

a(n) is the number of distinct permutations for a Secret Santa gift exchange with n participants. - Patrik Holopainen, Dec 30 2019

a(2*n+1) is even. More generally, a(m*n+1) is divisible by m*n, which follows from a(n+1) = n*(a(n) + a(n-1)) = n*A000255(n-1) for n >= 1. a(2*n) is odd; in fact, a(2*n) == 1 (mod 8). Other divisibility properties include a(6*n) == 1 (mod 24), a(9*n+4) == a(9*n+7) == 0 (mod 9), a(10*n) == 1 (mod 40), a(11*n+5) == 0 (mod 11) and a(13*n+8 ) == 0 (mod 13). - Peter Bala, Apr 05 2022

Conjecture: a(n) with n > 2 is a perfect power only for n = 4 with a(4) = 3^2. This has been verified for n <= 1000. - Zhi-Wei Sun, Jan 09 2025

This is a binomial convolution triangle (Sheffer triangle) of the Appell type: (exp(-x)/(1-x),x), i.e., the e.g.f. of column k is (exp(-x)/(1-x))*(x^k/k!). See the e.g.f. given by V. Jovovic below. - Wolfdieter Lang, Jan 21 2008

The formula T(n,k) = binomial(n,k)*A000166(n-k), with the derangements numbers (subfactorials) A000166 (see also the Charalambides reference) shows the Appell type of this triangle. - Wolfdieter Lang, Jan 21 2008

T(n,k) is the number of permutations of {1,2,...,n} having k pairs of consecutive right-to-left minima (0 is considered a right-to-left minimum for each permutation). Example: T(4,2)=6 because we have 1243, 1423, 4123, 1324, 3124 and 2134; for example, 1324 has right-to-left minima in positions 0-1,3-4 and 2134 has right-to-left minima in positions 0,2-3-4, the consecutive ones being joined by "-". - Emeric Deutsch, Mar 29 2008

T is an example of the group of matrices outlined in the table in A132382--the associated matrix for the sequence aC(0,1). - Tom Copeland, Sep 10 2008

A refinement of this triangle is given by A036039. - Tom Copeland, Nov 06 2012

This triangle equals (A211229(2*n,2*k)) n,k >= 0. - Peter Bala, Dec 17 2014

a(n) gives the index number in any table of permutations of the entry in which the last n + 1 items are reversed. - Eugene McDonnell (eemcd(AT)mac.com), Dec 03 2004

a(n), n >= 1, has the factorial representation [n - 1, n - 2, ..., 1, 0]. The (unique) factorial representation of a number m from {0, 1, ... n! - 1} is m = sum(m_j(n)*j!, j = 0 .. n - 1) with m_j(n) from {0, 1, .., j}, n>=1. This is encoded as [m_{n-1},m_{n-2},...,m+1,m_0] with m_0=0. This can be interpreted as (D. N.) Lehmer code for the lexicographic rank of permutations of the symmetric group S_n (see the W. Lang link under A136663). The Lehmer code [n - 1, n - 2, ..., 1, 0] stands for the permutation [n, n - 1, ..., 1] (the last in lexicographic order). - Wolfdieter Lang, May 21 2008

For n >= 3: a(n) = numbers m for which there is one iteration {floor (r / k)} for k = n, n - 1, n - 2, ... 2 with property r mod k = k - 1 starting at r = m. For n = 5: a(5) = 119; floor (119 / 5) = 23, 119 mod 5 = 4; floor (23 / 4) = 5, 23 mod 4 = 3; floor (5 / 3) = 1, 5 mod 3 = 2; floor (1 / 2) = 0; 1 mod 2 = 1. - Jaroslav Krizek, Jan 23 2010

For n = 4, define the sum of all possible products of 1, 2, 3, 4 to be 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 add 1*2 + 1*3 + 1*4 add 2*3 + 2*4 + 3*4 add 1*2*3 + 1*2*4 + 1*3*4 + 2*3*4 add 1*2*3*4. The sum of this is 119 = (4 + 1)! - 1. For n = 5 I get the sum 719 = (5 + 1)! - 1. The proof for the general case seems to follow by induction. - J. M. Bergot, Jan 10 2011

Number of acute triangles made from the vertices of a regular n-polygon when n is even (cf. A000330). - Sen-Peng Eu, Apr 05 2001

a(n+2) is (-1)*coefficient of X in Zagier's polynomial (n,n-1). - Benoit Cloitre, Oct 12 2002

Definite integrals of certain products of 2 derivatives of (orthogonal) Chebyshev polynomials of the 2nd kind are pi-multiple of this sequence. For even (p+q): Integrate[ D[ChebyshevU[p, x], x] D[ChebyshevU[q, x], x] (1 - x^2)^(1/2), {x,-1,1}] / Pi = a(n), where n=Min[p,q]. Example: a(3)=20 because Integrate[ D[ChebyshevU[3, x], x] D[ChebyshevU[5, x], x] (1 - x^2)^(1/2), {x,-1,1}]/Pi = 20 since 3=Min[3,5] and 3+5 is even. - Christoph Pacher (Christoph.Pacher(AT)arcs.ac.at), Dec 16 2004

If Y is a 2-subset of an n-set X then, for n>=3, a(n-1) is the number of 3-subsets and 4-subsets of X having exactly one element in common with Y. - Milan Janjic, Dec 28 2007

a(n) is also the number of proper colorings of the cycle graph Csub3 (also the complete graph Ksub3) when n colors are available. - Gary E. Stevens, Dec 28 2008

a(n) is the reverse Wiener index of the path graph with n vertices. See the Balaban et al. reference, p. 927.

For n > 1: a(n) = sum of (n-1)-th row of A141418. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Nov 18 2012

This is the sequence for nuclear magic numbers in an idealized spherical nucleus under the harmonic oscillator model. - Jess Tauber, May 20 2013

Shifted non-vanishing diagonal of A132440^3/3. Second subdiagonal of A238363 (without zeros). For n>0, a(n+2)=n*(n+1)*(n+2)/3. Cf. A130534 for relations to colored forests and disposition of flags on flagpoles. - Tom Copeland, Apr 05 2014

a(n) is the number of ordered rooted trees with n non-root nodes that have 2 leaves; see A108838. - Joerg Arndt, Aug 18 2014

Number of floating point multiplications in the factorization of an (n-1)X(n-1) real matrix by Gaussian elimination as e.g. implemented in LINPACK subroutines sgefa.f or dgefa.f. The number of additions is given by A000330. - Hugo Pfoertner, Mar 28 2018

a(n+1) = Max_{s in S_n} Sum_{k=1..n} (k - s(k))^2 where S_n is the symmetric group of permutations of [1..n]; this maximum is obtained with the permutation s = (1, n) (2, n-1) (3, n-2) ... (k, n-k+1). (see Protat reference). - Bernard Schott, Dec 26 2022

a(n) is also the number of permutations of [n] having no circular succession. A circular succession in a permutation p of [n] is either a pair p(i), p(i+1), where p(i+1)=p(i)+1 or the pair p(n), p(1) if p(1)=p(n)+1. a(4)=8 because we have 1324, 1432, 4132, 2143, 2413, 3214, 3241, and 4321. - Emeric Deutsch, Sep 06 2010

a(n) is also the number of permutations of [n] having no substring in {12, 23, ..., (n-1)n, n1}. For example, a(4) = 8 since we have 1324, 1432, 4213, 2143, 2431, 3214, 3142, 4321 (different from permutations having no circular succession). - Enrique Navarrete, Oct 07 2016

a(n-1) is also the number of permutations of [n] that allow the substring n1 in the set of permutations of [n] having no substring in {12, 23, ..., (n-1)n}. For example, for n=5 the 8 permutations in S5 having no substring in {12,23,34,45} that allow the substring 51 are {51324,51432,25143,24351,35142,32514,42513,43251} (see link). - Enrique Navarrete, Jan 11 2017

From Enrique Navarrete, Mar 25 2017: (Start)

Let D(n,k) be the set of permutations on [n] that for fixed k, 0 < k < n, avoid substrings j(j+k) for 1 <= j <= n - k, and avoid substrings j(j+k) (mod n) for n-k < j <= n. Then the number of permutations in D(n,k) with k relative prime to n, n>=2, is given by a(n). For example, the forbidden substrings in D(4,3) are {14;21,32,43} (the forbidden substrings (mod 4) are written after the semicolon and lie below the diagonal in the chessboard below):

1 2 3 4

1 |||_|x|

2 |x|||_|

3 ||x||_|

4 |||x|_|

_

Then since 4 and 3 are relatively prime, a(4)=8, and the permutations in D(4,3) are 1234, 1342, 2341, 2413, 3124, 3412, 4123, 4231.

For another example, the forbidden substrings in D(8,5) are {16,27,38;41, 52,63,74,85} and the number of permutations in D(8,5) is a(8)=14832 (see the "K-Shift Forbidden Substrings" link).

(End)

Also: odd permutations of length n with no fixed points. - Martin Wohlgemuth (mail(AT)matroid.com), May 31 2003

Also number of cycles of length 2 in all derangements of [n]. Example: a(4)=6 because in the derangements of [4], namely (1432), (1342), (13)(24), (1423), (12)(34), (1243), (1234), (1324), and (14)(23), we have altogether 6 cycles of length 2. - Emeric Deutsch, Mar 31 2009

Length of n-th row = sum of n-th row = n!; number of zeros in n-th row = A000166(n); number of positive terms in n-th row = A002467(n). [Reinhard Zumkeller, Mar 29 2012]