cp's OEIS Frontend

The elements of this sequence satisfy the property that for every n=2k the triple (a(2k-1)^2, a(2k)^2 , a(2k+1)^2) is an arithmetic progression, i.e., 2*a(2k)^2 = a(2k-1)^2 + a(2k+1)^2. In general a triple((x-y)^2,z^2,(x+y)^2) is an arithmetic progression if and only if x^2+y^2=z^2 : in the case of this sequence 7^2, 17^2, and 23^2 is such a triple (i.e. 15-8 =7, 17, 8+15=23, and 8^2+15^2=17^2) .

The first differences of such a sequence is always an interleaved sequence; in this case the interleaved sequence is 2,10,6,14,10,... (A142954).

For many values of k for the equation y^2 = x^3 + k, all the solutions are known. For example, we have solutions for k=-2: (x,y) = (3,-5) and (3,5). A complete resolution for all integers k is unknown. Theorem: Let k be < -1, free of square factors, with k == 2 or 3 (mod 4). Suppose that the number of classes h(Q(sqrt(k))) is not divisible by 3. Then the equation y^2 = x^3 + k admits integer solutions if and only if k = 1 - 3a^2 or 1 - 3a^2 where a is an integer. In this case, the solutions are x = a^2 - k, y = a(a^2 + 3k) or -a(a^2 + 3k) (the first reference gives the proof of this theorem). With k = -1 - 3a^2, we obtain the solutions x = 4a^2 + 1, y = a(8a^2 + 3) or -a(8a^2 + 3). For the case k = 1 - 3a^2, we obtain the solution x = 4a^2 - 1 given by the sequence A000466.

4*a(n) + 1 are the odd squares A016754(n).

The word "pronic" (used by Dickson) is incorrect. - Michael Somos

According to the 2nd edition of Webster, the correct word is "promic". - R. K. Guy

a(n) is the number of minimal vectors in the root lattice A_n (see Conway and Sloane, p. 109).

Let M_n denote the n X n matrix M_n(i, j) = (i + j); then the characteristic polynomial of M_n is x^(n-2) * (x^2 - a(n)*x - A002415(n)). - Benoit Cloitre, Nov 09 2002

The greatest LCM of all pairs (j, k) for j < k <= n for n > 1. - Robert G. Wilson v, Jun 19 2004

First differences are a(n+1) - a(n) = 2*n + 2 = 2, 4, 6, ... (while first differences of the squares are (n+1)^2 - n^2 = 2*n + 1 = 1, 3, 5, ...). - Alexandre Wajnberg, Dec 29 2005

25 appended to these numbers corresponds to squares of numbers ending in 5 (i.e., to squares of A017329). - Lekraj Beedassy, Mar 24 2006

A rapid (mental) multiplication/factorization technique -- a generalization of Lekraj Beedassy's comment: For all bases b >= 2 and positive integers n, c, d, k with c + d = b^k, we have (n*b^k + c)*(n*b^k + d) = a(n)*b^(2*k) + c*d. Thus the last 2*k base-b digits of the product are exactly those of c*d -- including leading 0(s) as necessary -- with the preceding base-b digit(s) the same as a(n)'s. Examples: In decimal, 113*117 = 13221 (as n = 11, b = 10 = 3 + 7, k = 1, 3*7 = 21, and a(11) = 132); in octal, 61*67 = 5207 (52 is a(6) in octal). In particular, for even b = 2*m (m > 0) and c = d = m, such a product is a square of this type. Decimal factoring: 5609 is immediately seen to be 71*79. Likewise, 120099 = 301*399 (k = 2 here) and 99990000001996 = 9999002*9999998 (k = 3). - Rick L. Shepherd, Jul 24 2021

Number of circular binary words of length n + 1 having exactly one occurrence of 01. Example: a(2) = 6 because we have 001, 010, 011, 100, 101 and 110. Column 1 of A119462. - Emeric Deutsch, May 21 2006

The sequence of iterated square roots sqrt(N + sqrt(N + ...)) has for N = 1, 2, ... the limit (1 + sqrt(1 + 4*N))/2. For N = a(n) this limit is n + 1, n = 1, 2, .... For all other numbers N, N >= 1, this limit is not a natural number. Examples: n = 1, a(1) = 2: sqrt(2 + sqrt(2 + ...)) = 1 + 1 = 2; n = 2, a(2) = 6: sqrt(6 + sqrt(6 + ...)) = 1 + 2 = 3. - Wolfdieter Lang, May 05 2006

Nonsquare integers m divisible by ceiling(sqrt(m)), except for m = 0. - Max Alekseyev, Nov 27 2006

The number of off-diagonal elements of an (n + 1) X (n + 1) matrix. - Artur Jasinski, Jan 11 2007

a(n) is equal to the number of functions f:{1, 2} -> {1, 2, ..., n + 1} such that for a fixed x in {1, 2} and a fixed y in {1, 2, ..., n + 1} we have f(x) <> y. - Aleksandar M. Janjic and Milan Janjic, Mar 13 2007

Numbers m >= 0 such that round(sqrt(m+1)) - round(sqrt(m)) = 1. - Hieronymus Fischer, Aug 06 2007

Numbers m >= 0 such that ceiling(2*sqrt(m+1)) - 1 = 1 + floor(2*sqrt(m)). - Hieronymus Fischer, Aug 06 2007

Numbers m >= 0 such that fract(sqrt(m+1)) > 1/2 and fract(sqrt(m)) < 1/2 where fract(x) is the fractional part (fract(x) = x - floor(x), x >= 0). - Hieronymus Fischer, Aug 06 2007

X values of solutions to the equation 4*X^3 + X^2 = Y^2. To find Y values: b(n) = n(n+1)(2n+1). - Mohamed Bouhamida, Nov 06 2007

Nonvanishing diagonal of A132792, the infinitesimal Lah matrix, so "generalized factorials" composed of a(n) are given by the elements of the Lah matrix, unsigned A111596, e.g., a(1)*a(2)*a(3) / 3! = -A111596(4,1) = 24. - Tom Copeland, Nov 20 2007

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

a(n) coincides with the vertex of a parabola of even width in the Redheffer matrix, directed toward zero. An integer p is prime if and only if for all integer k, the parabola y = kx - x^2 has no integer solution with 1 < x < k when y = p; a(n) corresponds to odd k. - Reikku Kulon, Nov 30 2008

The third differences of certain values of the hypergeometric function 3F2 lead to the squares of the oblong numbers i.e., 3F2([1, n + 1, n + 1], [n + 2, n + 2], z = 1) - 3*3F2([1, n + 2, n + 2], [n + 3, n + 3], z = 1) + 3*3F2([1, n + 3, n + 3], [n + 4, n + 4], z = 1) - 3F2([1, n + 4, n + 4], [n + 5, n + 5], z = 1) = (1/((n+2)*(n+3)))^2 for n = -1, 0, 1, 2, ... . See also A162990. - Johannes W. Meijer, Jul 21 2009

Generalized factorials, [a.(n!)] = a(n)*a(n-1)*...*a(0) = A010790(n), with a(0) = 1 are related to A001263. - Tom Copeland, Sep 21 2011

For n > 1, a(n) is the number of functions f:{1, 2} -> {1, ..., n + 2} where f(1) > 1 and f(2) > 2. Note that there are n + 1 possible values for f(1) and n possible values for f(2). For example, a(3) = 12 since there are 12 functions f from {1, 2} to {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} with f(1) > 1 and f(2) > 2. - Dennis P. Walsh, Dec 24 2011

a(n) gives the number of (n + 1) X (n + 1) symmetric (0, 1)-matrices containing two ones (see [Cameron]). - L. Edson Jeffery, Feb 18 2012

a(n) is the number of positions of a domino in a rectangled triangular board with both legs equal to n + 1. - César Eliud Lozada, Sep 26 2012

a(n) is the number of ordered pairs (x, y) in [n+2] X [n+2] with |x-y| > 1. - Dennis P. Walsh, Nov 27 2012

a(n) is the number of injective functions from {1, 2} into {1, 2, ..., n + 1}. - Dennis P. Walsh, Nov 27 2012

a(n) is the sum of the positive differences of the partition parts of 2n + 2 into exactly two parts (see example). - Wesley Ivan Hurt, Jun 02 2013

a(n)/a(n-1) is asymptotic to e^(2/n). - Richard R. Forberg, Jun 22 2013

Number of positive roots in the root system of type D_{n + 1} (for n > 2). - Tom Edgar, Nov 05 2013

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

From Felix P. Muga II, Mar 18 2014: (Start)

a(m), for m >= 1, are the only positive integer values t for which the Binet-de Moivre formula for the recurrence b(n) = b(n-1) + t*b(n-2) with b(0) = 0 and b(1) = 1 has a root of a square. PROOF (as suggested by Wolfdieter Lang, Mar 26 2014): The sqrt(1 + 4t) appearing in the zeros r1 and r2 of the characteristic equation is (a positive) integer for positive integer t precisely if 4t + 1 = (2m + 1)^2, that is t = a(m), m >= 1. Thus, the characteristic roots are integers: r1 = m + 1 and r2 = -m.

Let m > 1 be an integer. If b(n) = b(n-1) + a(m)*b(n-2), n >= 2, b(0) = 0, b(1) = 1, then lim_{n->oo} b(n+1)/b(n) = m + 1. (End)

Cf. A130534 for relations to colored forests, disposition of flags on flagpoles, and colorings of the vertices (chromatic polynomial) of the complete graphs (here simply K_2). - Tom Copeland, Apr 05 2014

The set of integers k for which k + sqrt(k + sqrt(k + sqrt(k + sqrt(k + ...) ... is an integer. - Leslie Koller, Apr 11 2014

a(n-1) is the largest number k such that (n*k)/(n+k) is an integer. - Derek Orr, May 22 2014

Number of ways to place a domino and a singleton on a strip of length n - 2. - Ralf Stephan, Jun 09 2014

With offset 1, this appears to give the maximal number of crossings between n nonconcentric circles of equal radius. - Felix Fröhlich, Jul 14 2014

For n > 1, the harmonic mean of the n values a(1) to a(n) is n + 1. The lowest infinite sequence of increasing positive integers whose cumulative harmonic mean is integral. - Ian Duff, Feb 01 2015

a(n) is the maximum number of queens of one color that can coexist without attacking one queen of the opponent's color on an (n+2) X (n+2) chessboard. The lone queen can be placed in any position on the perimeter of the board. - Bob Selcoe, Feb 07 2015

With a(0) = 1, a(n-1) is the smallest positive number not in the sequence such that Sum_{i = 1..n} 1/a(i-1) has a denominator equal to n. - Derek Orr, Jun 17 2015

The positive members of this sequence are a proper subsequence of the so-called 1-happy couple products A007969. See the W. Lang link there, eq. (4), with Y_0 = 1, with a table at the end. - Wolfdieter Lang, Sep 19 2015

For n > 0, a(n) is the reciprocal of the area bounded above by y = x^(n-1) and below by y = x^n for x in the interval [0, 1]. Summing all such areas visually demonstrates the formula below giving Sum_{n >= 1} 1/a(n) = 1. - Rick L. Shepherd, Oct 26 2015

It appears that, except for a(0) = 0, this is the set of positive integers n such that x*floor(x) = n has no solution. (For example, to get 3, take x = -3/2.) - Melvin Peralta, Apr 14 2016

If two independent real random variables, x and y, are distributed according to the same exponential distribution: pdf(x) = lambda * exp(-lambda * x), lambda > 0, then the probability that n - 1 <= x/y < n is given by 1/a(n). - Andres Cicuttin, Dec 03 2016

a(n) is equal to the sum of all possible differences between n different pairs of consecutive odd numbers (see example). - Miquel Cerda, Dec 04 2016

a(n+1) is the dimension of the space of vector fields in the plane with polynomial coefficients up to order n. - Martin Licht, Dec 04 2016

It appears that a(n) + 3 is the area of the largest possible pond in a square (A268311). - Craig Knecht, May 04 2017

Also the number of 3-cycles in the (n+3)-triangular honeycomb acute knight graph. - Eric W. Weisstein, Jul 27 2017

Also the Wiener index of the (n+2)-wheel graph. - Eric W. Weisstein, Sep 08 2017

The left edge of a Floyd's triangle that consists of even numbers: 0; 2, 4; 6, 8, 10; 12, 14, 16, 18; 20, 22, 24, 26, 28; ... giving 0, 2, 6, 12, 20, ... The right edge generates A028552. - Waldemar Puszkarz, Feb 02 2018

a(n+1) is the order of rowmotion on a poset obtained by adjoining a unique minimal (or maximal) element to a disjoint union of at least two chains of n elements. - Nick Mayers, Jun 01 2018

From Juhani Heino, Feb 05 2019: (Start)

For n > 0, 1/a(n) = n/(n+1) - (n-1)/n.

For example, 1/6 = 2/3 - 1/2; 1/12 = 3/4 - 2/3.

Corollary of this:

Take 1/2 pill.

Next day, take 1/6 pill. 1/2 + 1/6 = 2/3, so your daily average is 1/3.

Next day, take 1/12 pill. 2/3 + 1/12 = 3/4, so your daily average is 1/4.

And so on. (End)

From Bernard Schott, May 22 2020: (Start)

For an oblong number m >= 6 there exists a Euclidean division m = d*q + r with q < r < d which are in geometric progression, in this order, with a common integer ratio b. For b >= 2 and q >= 1, the Euclidean division is m = qb*(qb+1) = qb^2 * q + qb where (q, qb, qb^2) are in geometric progression.

Some examples with distinct ratios and quotients:

6 | 4 30 | 25 42 | 18

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

2 | 1 , 5 | 1 , 6 | 2 ,

and also:

42 | 12 420 | 100

----- -----

6 | 3 , 20 | 4 .

Some oblong numbers also satisfy a Euclidean division m = d*q + r with q < r < d that are in geometric progression in this order but with a common noninteger ratio b > 1 (see A335064). (End)

For n >= 1, the continued fraction expansion of sqrt(a(n)) is [n; {2, 2n}]. For n=1, this collapses to [1; {2}]. - Magus K. Chu, Sep 09 2022

a(n-2) is the maximum irregularity over all trees with n vertices. The extremal graphs are stars. (The irregularity of a graph is the sum of the differences between the degrees over all edges of the graph.) - Allan Bickle, May 29 2023

For n > 0, number of diagonals in a regular 2*(n+1)-gon that are not parallel to any edge (cf. A367204). - Paolo Xausa, Mar 30 2024

a(n-1) is the maximum Zagreb index over all trees with n vertices. The extremal graphs are stars. (The Zagreb index of a graph is the sum of the squares of the degrees over all vertices of the graph.) - Allan Bickle, Apr 11 2024

For n >= 1, a(n) is the determinant of the distance matrix of a cycle graph on 2*n + 1 vertices (if the length of the cycle is even such a determinant is zero). - Miquel A. Fiol, Aug 20 2024

For n > 1, the continued fraction expansion of sqrt(16*a(n)) is [2n+1; {1, 2n-1, 1, 8n+2}]. - Magus K. Chu, Nov 20 2024

For n>=2, a(n) is the number of faces on a n+1-zone rhombic zonohedron. Each pair of a collection of great circles on a sphere intersects at two points, so there are 2*binomial(n+1,2) intersections. The dual of the implied polyhedron is a rhombic zonohedron, its faces corresponding to the intersections. - Shel Kaphan, Aug 12 2025

An n X n nonnegative matrix A is primitive (see A070322) iff every element of A^k is > 0 for some power k. If A is primitive then the power which should have all positive entries is <= n^2 - 2n + 2 (Wielandt).

a(n) = Phi_4(n), where Phi_k is the k-th cyclotomic polynomial.

As the positive solution to x=2n+1/x is x=n+sqrt(a(n)), the continued fraction expansion of sqrt(a(n)) is {n; 2n, 2n, 2n, 2n, ...}. - Benoit Cloitre, Dec 07 2001

a(n) is one less than the arithmetic mean of its neighbors: a(n) = (a(n-1) + a(n+1))/2 - 1. E.g., 2 = (1+5)/2 - 1, 5 = (2+10)/2 - 1. - Amarnath Murthy, Jul 29 2003

Equivalently, the continued fraction expansion of sqrt(a(n)) is (n;2n,2n,2n,...). - Franz Vrabec, Jan 23 2006

Number of {12,1*2*,21}-avoiding signed permutations in the hyperoctahedral group.

The number of squares of side 1 which can be drawn without lifting the pencil, starting at one corner of an n X n grid and never visiting an edge twice is n^2-2n+2. - Sébastien Dumortier, Jun 16 2005

Also, numbers m such that m^3 - m^2 is a square, (n*(1 + n^2))^2. - Zak Seidov

1 + 2/2 + 2/5 + 2/10 + ... = Pi*coth Pi [Jolley], see A113319. - Gary W. Adamson, Dec 21 2006

For n >= 1, a(n-1) is the minimal number of choices from an n-set such that at least one particular element has been chosen at least n times or each of the n elements has been chosen at least once. Some games define "matches" this way; e.g., in the classic Parker Brothers, now Hasbro, board game Risk, a(2)=5 is the number of cards of three available types (suits) required to guarantee at least one match of three different types or of three of the same type (ignoring any jokers or wildcards). - Rick L. Shepherd, Nov 18 2007

Positive X values of solutions to the equation X^3 + (X - 1)^2 + X - 2 = Y^2. To prove that X = n^2 + 1: Y^2 = X^3 + (X - 1)^2 + X - 2 = X^3 + X^2 - X - 1 = (X - 1)(X^2 + 2X + 1) = (X - 1)*(X + 1)^2 it means: (X - 1) must be a perfect square, so X = n^2 + 1 and Y = n(n^2 + 2). - Mohamed Bouhamida, Nov 29 2007

{a(k): 0 <= k < 4} = divisors of 10. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jun 17 2009

Appears in A054413 and A086902 in relation to sequences related to the numerators and denominators of continued fractions convergents to sqrt((2*n)^2/4 + 1), n=1, 2, 3, ... . - Johannes W. Meijer, Jun 12 2010

For n > 0, continued fraction [n,n] = n/a(n); e.g., [5,5] = 5/26. - Gary W. Adamson, Jul 15 2010

The only real solution of the form f(x) = A*x^p with negative p which satisfies f^(m)(x) = f^[-1](x), x >= 0, m >= 1, with f^(m) the m-th derivative and f^[-1] the compositional inverse of f, is obtained for m=2*n, p=p(n)= -(sqrt(a(n))-n) and A=A(n)=(fallfac(p(n),2*n))^(-p(n)/(p(n)+1)), with fallfac(x,k):=Product_{j=0..k-1} (x-j) (falling factorials). See the T. Koshy reference, pp. 263-4 (there are also two solutions for positive p, see the corresponding comment in A087475). - Wolfdieter Lang, Oct 21 2010

n + sqrt(a(n)) = [2*n;2*n,2*n,...] with the regular continued fraction with period 1. This is the even case. For the general case see A087475 with the Schroeder reference and comments. For the odd case see A078370.

a(n-1) counts configurations of non-attacking bishops on a 2 X n strip [Chaiken et al., Ann. Combin. 14 (2010) 419]. - R. J. Mathar, Jun 16 2011

Also numbers k such that 4*k-4 is a square. Hence this sequence is the union of A053755 and A069894. - Arkadiusz Wesolowski, Aug 02 2011

a(n) is also the Moore lower bound on the order, A191595(n), of an (n,5)-cage. - Jason Kimberley, Oct 17 2011

Left edge of the triangle in A195437: a(n+1) = A195437(n,0). - Reinhard Zumkeller, Nov 23 2011

If h (5,17,37,65,101,...) is prime is relatively prime to 6, then h^2-1 is divisible by 24. - Vincenzo Librandi, Apr 14 2014

The identity (4*n^2+2)^2 - (n^2+1)*(4*n)^2 = 4 can be written as A005899(n)^2 - a(n)*A008586(n)^2 = 4. - Vincenzo Librandi, Jun 15 2014

a(n) is also the number of permutations simultaneously avoiding 213 and 321 in the classical sense which can be realized as labels on an increasing strict binary tree with 2n-1 nodes. See A245904 for more information on increasing strict binary trees. - Manda Riehl, Aug 07 2014

a(n-1) is the maximum number of stages in the Gale-Shapley algorithm for finding a stable matching between two sets of n elements given an ordering of preferences for each element (see Gura et al.). - Melvin Peralta, Feb 07 2016

Because of Fermat's little theorem, a(n) is never divisible by 3. - Altug Alkan, Apr 08 2016

For n > 0, if a(n) points are placed inside an n X n square, it will always be the case that at least two of the points will be a distance of sqrt(2) units apart or less. - Melvin Peralta, Jan 21 2017

Also the limit as q->1^- of the unimodal polynomial (1-q^(n*k+1))/(1-q) after making the simplification k=n. The unimodal polynomial is from O'Hara's proof of unimodality of q-binomials after making the restriction to partitions of size <= 1. See G_1(n,k) from arXiv:1711.11252. As the size restriction s increases, G_s->G_infinity=G: the q-binomials. Then substituting k=n and q=1 yields the central binomial coefficients: A000984. - Bryan T. Ek, Apr 11 2018

a(n) is the smallest number congruent to both 1 (mod n) and 2 (mod n+1). - David James Sycamore, Apr 04 2019

a(n) is the number of permutations of 1,2,...,n+1 with exactly one reduced decomposition. - Richard Stanley, Dec 22 2022

From Klaus Purath, Apr 03 2025: (Start)

The odd prime factors of these terms are always of the form 4*k + 1.

All a(n) = D satisfy the Pell equation (k*x)^2 - D*y^2 = -1. The values for k and the solutions x, y can be calculated using the following algorithm: k = n, x(0) = 1, x(1) = 4*D - 1, y(0) = 1, y(1) = 4*D - 3. The two recurrences are of the form (4*D - 2, -1). The solutions x, y of the Pell equations for n = {1 ... 14} are in OEIS.

It follows from the above that this sequence is a subsequence of A031396. (End)

These are Hogben's central polygonal numbers denoted by the symbol

...2....

....P...

...2.n..

(P with three attachments).

Also the maximal number of 1's that an n X n invertible {0,1} matrix can have. (See Halmos for proof.) - Felix Goldberg (felixg(AT)tx.technion.ac.il), Jul 07 2001

Maximal number of interior regions formed by n intersecting circles, for n >= 1. - Amarnath Murthy, Jul 07 2001

The terms are the smallest of n consecutive odd numbers whose sum is n^3: 1, 3 + 5 = 8 = 2^3, 7 + 9 + 11 = 27 = 3^3, etc. - Amarnath Murthy, May 19 2001

(n*a(n+1)+1)/(n^2+1) is the smallest integer of the form (n*k+1)/(n^2+1). - Benoit Cloitre, May 02 2002

For n >= 3, a(n) is also the number of cycles in the wheel graph W(n) of order n. - Sharon Sela (sharonsela(AT)hotmail.com), May 17 2002

Let b(k) be defined as follows: b(1) = 1 and b(k+1) > b(k) is the smallest integer such that Sum_{i=b(k)..b(k+1)} 1/sqrt(i) > 2; then b(n) = a(n) for n > 0. - Benoit Cloitre, Aug 23 2002

Drop the first three terms. Then n*a(n) + 1 = (n+1)^3. E.g., 7*1 + 1 = 8 = 2^3, 13*2 + 1 = 27 = 3^3, 21*3 + 1 = 64 = 4^3, etc. - Amarnath Murthy, Oct 20 2002

Arithmetic mean of next 2n - 1 numbers. - Amarnath Murthy, Feb 16 2004

The n-th term of an arithmetic progression with first term 1 and common difference n: a(1) = 1 -> 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...; a(2) = 3 -> 1, 3, ...; a(3) = 7 -> 1, 4, 7, ...; a(4) = 13 -> 1, 5, 9, 13, ... - Amarnath Murthy, Mar 25 2004

Number of walks of length 3 between any two distinct vertices of the complete graph K_{n+1} (n >= 1). Example: a(2) = 3 because in the complete graph ABC we have the following walks of length 3 between A and B: ABAB, ACAB and ABCB. - Emeric Deutsch, Apr 01 2004

Narayana transform of [1, 2, 0, 0, 0, ...] = [1, 3, 7, 13, 21, ...]. Let M = the infinite lower triangular matrix of A001263 and let V = the Vector [1, 2, 0, 0, 0, ...]. Then A002061 starting (1, 3, 7, ...) = M * V. - Gary W. Adamson, Apr 25 2006

The sequence 3, 7, 13, 21, 31, 43, 57, 73, 91, 111, ... is the trajectory of 3 under repeated application of the map n -> n + 2 * square excess of n, cf. A094765.

Also n^3 mod (n^2+1). - Zak Seidov, Aug 31 2006

Also, omitting the first 1, the main diagonal of A081344. - Zak Seidov, Oct 05 2006

Ignoring the first ones, these are rectangular parallelepipeds with integer dimensions that have integer interior diagonals. Using Pythagoras: sqrt(a^2 + b^2 + c^2) = d, an integer; then this sequence: sqrt(n^2 + (n+1)^2 + (n(n+1))^2) = 2T_n + 1 is the first and most simple example. Problem: Are there any integer diagonals which do not satisfy the following general formula? sqrt((k*n)^2 + (k*(n+(2*m+1)))^2 + (k*(n*(n+(2*m+1)) + 4*T_m))^2) = k*d where m >= 0, k >= 1, and T is a triangular number. - Marco Matosic, Nov 10 2006

Numbers n such that a(n) is prime are listed in A055494. Prime a(n) are listed in A002383. All terms are odd. Prime factors of a(n) are listed in A007645. 3 divides a(3*k-1), 7 divides a(7*k-4) and a(7*k-2), 7^2 divides a(7^2*k-18) and a(7^2*k+19), 7^3 divides a(7^3*k-18) and a(7^3*k+19), 7^4 divides a(7^4*k+1048) and a(7^4*k-1047), 7^5 divides a(7^5*k+1354) and a(7^5*k-1353), 13 divides a(13*k-9) and a(13*k-3), 13^2 divides a(13^2*k+23) and a(13^2*k-22), 13^3 divides a(13^3*k+1037) and a(13^3*k-1036). - Alexander Adamchuk, Jan 25 2007

Complement of A135668. - Kieren MacMillan, Dec 16 2007

From William A. Tedeschi, Feb 29 2008: (Start)

Numbers (sorted) on the main diagonal of a 2n X 2n spiral. For example, when n=2:

.

7---8---9--10

| |

6 1---2 11

| | |

5---4---3 12

|

16--15--14--13

.

Cf. A137928. (End)

a(n) = AlexanderPolynomial[n] defined as Det[Transpose[S]-n S] where S is Seifert matrix {{-1, 1}, {0, -1}}. - Artur Jasinski, Mar 31 2008

Starting (1, 3, 7, 13, 21, ...) = binomial transform of [1, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0]; example: a(4) = 13 = (1, 3, 3, 1) dot (1, 2, 2, 0) = (1 + 6 + 6 + 0). - Gary W. Adamson, May 10 2008

Starting (1, 3, 7, 13, ...) = triangle A158821 * [1, 2, 3, ...]. - Gary W. Adamson, Mar 28 2009

Starting with offset 1 = triangle A128229 * [1,2,3,...]. - Gary W. Adamson, Mar 26 2009

a(n) = k such that floor((1/2)*(1 + sqrt(4*k-3))) + k = (n^2+1), that is A000037(a(n)) = A002522(n) = n^2 + 1, for n >= 1. - Jaroslav Krizek, Jun 21 2009

For n > 0: a(n) = A170950(A002522(n-1)), A170950(a(n)) = A174114(n), A170949(a(n)) = A002522(n-1). - Reinhard Zumkeller, Mar 08 2010

From Emeric Deutsch, Sep 23 2010: (Start)

a(n) is also the Wiener index of the fan graph F(n). The fan graph F(n) is defined as the graph obtained by joining each node of an n-node path graph with an additional node. The Wiener index of a connected graph is the sum of the distances between all unordered pairs of vertices in the graph. The Wiener polynomial of the graph F(n) is (1/2)t[(n-1)(n-2)t + 2(2n-1)]. Example: a(2)=3 because the corresponding fan graph is a cycle on 3 nodes (a triangle), having distances 1, 1, and 1.

(End)

For all elements k = n^2 - n + 1 of the sequence, sqrt(4*(k-1)+1) is an integer because 4*(k-1) + 1 = (2*n-1)^2 is a perfect square. Building the intersection of this sequence with A000225, k may in addition be of the form k = 2^x - 1, which happens only for k = 1, 3, 7, 31, and 8191. [Proof: Still 4*(k-1)+1 = 2^(x+2) - 7 must be a perfect square, which has the finite number of solutions provided by A060728: x = 1, 2, 3, 5, or 13.] In other words, the sequence A038198 defines all elements of the form 2^x - 1 in this sequence. For example k = 31 = 6*6 - 6 + 1; sqrt((31-1)*4+1) = sqrt(121) = 11 = A038198(4). - Alzhekeyev Ascar M, Jun 01 2011

a(n) such that A002522(n-1) * A002522(n) = A002522(a(n)) where A002522(n) = n^2 + 1. - Michel Lagneau, Feb 10 2012

Left edge of the triangle in A214661: a(n) = A214661(n, 1), for n > 0. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jul 25 2012

a(n) = A215630(n, 1), for n > 0; a(n) = A215631(n-1, 1), for n > 1. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Nov 11 2012

Sum_{n > 0} arccot(a(n)) = Pi/2. - Franz Vrabec, Dec 02 2012

If you draw a triangle with one side of unit length and one side of length n, with an angle of Pi/3 radians between them, then the length of the third side of the triangle will be the square root of a(n). - Elliott Line, Jan 24 2013

a(n+1) is the number j such that j^2 = j + m + sqrt(j*m), with corresponding number m given by A100019(n). Also: sqrt(j*m) = A027444(n) = n * a(n+1). - Richard R. Forberg, Sep 03 2013

Let p(x) the interpolating polynomial of degree n-1 passing through the n points (n,n) and (1,1), (2,1), ..., (n-1,1). Then p(n+1) = a(n). - Giovanni Resta, Feb 09 2014

The number of square roots >= sqrt(n) and < n+1 (n >= 0) gives essentially the same sequence, 1, 3, 7, 13, 21, 31, 43, 57, 73, 91, 111, 133, 157, 183, 211, ... . - Michael G. Kaarhus, May 21 2014

For n > 1: a(n) is the maximum total number of queens that can coexist without attacking each other on an [n+1] X [n+1] chessboard. Specifically, this will be a lone queen of one color placed in any position on the perimeter of the board, facing an opponent's "army" of size a(n)-1 == A002378(n-1). - Bob Selcoe, Feb 07 2015

a(n+1) is, for n >= 1, the number of points as well as the number of lines of a finite projective plane of order n (cf. Hughes and Piper, 1973, Theorem 3.5., pp. 79-80). For n = 3, a(4) = 13, see the 'Finite example' in the Wikipedia link, section 2.3, for the point-line matrix. - Wolfdieter Lang, Nov 20 2015

Denominators of the solution to the generalization of the Feynman triangle problem. If each vertex of a triangle is joined to the point (1/p) along the opposite side (measured say clockwise), then the area of the inner triangle formed by these lines is equal to (p - 2)^2/(p^2 - p + 1) times the area of the original triangle, p > 2. For example, when p = 3, the ratio of the areas is 1/7. The numerators of the ratio of the areas is given by A000290 with an offset of 2. [Cook & Wood, 2004.] - Joe Marasco, Feb 20 2017

n^2 equal triangular tiles with side lengths 1 X 1 X 1 may be put together to form an n X n X n triangle. For n>=2 a(n-1) is the number of different 2 X 2 X 2 triangles being contained. - Heinrich Ludwig, Mar 13 2017

For n >= 0, the continued fraction [n, n+1, n+2] = (n^3 + 3n^2 + 4n + 2)/(n^2 + 3n + 3) = A034262(n+1)/a(n+2) = n + (n+2)/a(n+2); e.g., [2, 3, 4] = A034262(3)/a(4) = 30/13 = 2 + 4/13. - Rick L. Shepherd, Apr 06 2017

Starting with b(1) = 1 and not allowing the digit 0, let b(n) = smallest nonnegative integer not yet in the sequence such that the last digit of b(n-1) plus the first digit of b(n) is equal to k for k = 1, ..., 9. This defines 9 finite sequences, each of length equal to a(k), k = 1, ..., 9. (See A289283-A289287 for the cases k = 5..9.) For k = 10, the sequence is infinite (A289288). For example, for k = 4, b(n) = 1,3,11,31,32,2,21,33,12,22,23,13,14. These terms can be ordered in the following array of size k*(k-1)+1:

1 2 3

21 22 23

31 32 33

11 12 13 14

.

The sequence ends with the term 1k, which lies outside the rectangular array and gives the term +1 (see link).- Enrique Navarrete, Jul 02 2017

The central polygonal numbers are the delimiters (in parenthesis below) when you write the natural numbers in groups of odd size 2*n+1 starting with the group {2} of size 1: (1) 2 (3) 4,5,6 (7) 8,9,10,11,12 (13) 14,15,16,17,18,19,20 (21) 22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30 (31) 32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42 (43) ... - Enrique Navarrete, Jul 11 2017

Also the number of (non-null) connected induced subgraphs in the n-cycle graph. - Eric W. Weisstein, Aug 09 2017

Since (n+1)^2 - (n+1) + 1 = n^2 + n + 1 then from 7 onwards these are also exactly the numbers that are represented as 111 in all number bases: 111(2)=7, 111(3)=13, ... - Ron Knott, Nov 14 2017

Number of binary 2 X (n-1) matrices such that each row and column has at most one 1. - Dmitry Kamenetsky, Jan 20 2018

Observed to be the squares visited by bishop moves on a spirally numbered board and moving to the lowest available unvisited square at each step, beginning at the second term (cf. A316667). It should be noted that the bishop will only travel to squares along the first diagonal of the spiral. - Benjamin Knight, Jan 30 2019

From Ed Pegg Jr, May 16 2019: (Start)

Bound for n-subset coverings. Values in A138077 covered by difference sets.

C(7,3,2), {1,2,4}

C(13,4,2), {0,1,3,9}

C(21,5,2), {3,6,7,12,14}

C(31,6,2), {1,5,11,24,25,27}

C(43,7,2), existence unresolved

C(57,8,2), {0,1,6,15,22,26,45,55}

Next unresolved cases are C(111,11,2) and C(157,13,2). (End)

"In the range we explored carefully, the optimal packings were substantially irregular only for n of the form n = k(k+1)+1, k = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, i.e., for n = 13, 21, 31, 43, and 57." (cited from Lubachevsky, Graham link, Introduction). - Rainer Rosenthal, May 27 2020

From Bernard Schott, Dec 31 2020: (Start)

For n >= 1, a(n) is the number of solutions x in the interval 1 <= x <= n of the equation x^2 - [x^2] = (x - [x])^2, where [x] = floor(x). For n = 3, the a(3) = 7 solutions in the interval [1, 3] are 1, 3/2, 2, 9/4, 5/2, 11/4 and 3.

This sequence is the answer to the 4th problem proposed during the 20th British Mathematical Olympiad in 1984 (see link B.M.O 1984. and Gardiner reference). (End)

Called "Hogben numbers" after the British zoologist, statistician and writer Lancelot Thomas Hogben (1895-1975). - Amiram Eldar, Jun 24 2021

Minimum Wiener index of 2-degenerate graphs with n+1 vertices (n>0). 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 maximal 2-degenerate graphs with diameter at most 2. - Allan Bickle, Oct 14 2022

a(n) is the number of parking functions of size n avoiding the patterns 123, 213, and 312. - Lara Pudwell, Apr 10 2023

Repeated iteration of a(k) starting with k=2 produces Sylvester's sequence, i.e., A000058(n) = a^n(2), where a^n is the n-th iterate of a(k). - Curtis Bechtel, Apr 04 2024

a(n) is the maximum number of triangles that can be traversed by starting from a triangle and moving to adjacent triangles via an edge, without revisiting any triangle, in an n X n X n equilateral triangular grid made up of n^2 unit equilateral triangles. - Kiran Ananthpur Bacche, Jan 16 2025

The brown rat (rattus norwegicus) breeds very quickly. It can give birth to other rats 7 times a year, starting at the age of three months. The average number of pups is 8. The present sequence gives the total number of rats, when the intervals are 12/7 of a year and a young rat starts having offspring at 24/7 of a year. - Hans Isdahl, Jan 26 2008

Numbers n such that tau(n) is odd where tau(x) denotes the Ramanujan tau function (A000594). - Benoit Cloitre, May 01 2003

If Y is a fixed 2-subset of a (2n+1)-set X then a(n-1) is the number of 3-subsets of X intersecting Y. - Milan Janjic, Oct 21 2007

Binomial transform of [1, 8, 8, 0, 0, 0, ...]; Narayana transform (A001263) of [1, 8, 0, 0, 0, ...]. - Gary W. Adamson, Dec 29 2007

All terms of this sequence are of the form 8k+1. For numbers 8k+1 which aren't squares see A138393. Numbers 8k+1 are squares iff k is a triangular number from A000217. And squares have form 4n(n+1)+1. - Artur Jasinski, Mar 27 2008

Sequence arises from reading the line from 1, in the direction 1, 25, ... and the line from 9, in the direction 9, 49, ..., in the square spiral whose vertices are the squares A000290. - Omar E. Pol, May 24 2008

Equals the triangular numbers convolved with [1, 6, 1, 0, 0, 0, ...]. - Gary W. Adamson & Alexander R. Povolotsky, May 29 2009

First differences: A008590(n) = a(n) - a(n-1) for n>0. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Nov 08 2009

Central terms of the triangle in A176271; cf. A000466, A053755. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Apr 13 2010

Odd numbers with odd abundance. Odd numbers with even abundance are in A088828. Even numbers with odd abundance are in A088827. Even numbers with even abundance are in A088829. - Jaroslav Krizek, May 07 2011

Appear as numerators in the non-simple continued fraction expansion of Pi-3: Pi-3 = K_{k>=1} (1-2*k)^2/6 = 1/(6+9/(6+25/(6+49/(6+...)))), see also the comment in A007509. - Alexander R. Povolotsky, Oct 12 2011

Ulam's spiral (SE spoke). - Robert G. Wilson v, Oct 31 2011

All terms end in 1, 5 or 9. Modulo 100, all terms are among { 1, 9, 21, 25, 29, 41, 49, 61, 69, 81, 89 }. - M. F. Hasler, Mar 19 2012

Right edge of both triangles A214604 and A214661: a(n) = A214604(n+1,n+1) = A214661(n+1,n+1). - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jul 25 2012

Also: Odd numbers which have an odd sum of divisors (= sigma = A000203). - M. F. Hasler, Feb 23 2013

Consider primitive Pythagorean triangles (a^2 + b^2 = c^2, gcd(a, b) = 1) with hypotenuse c (A020882) and respective even leg b (A231100); sequence gives values c-b, sorted with duplicates removed. - K. G. Stier, Nov 04 2013

For n>1 a(n) is twice the area of the irregular quadrilateral created by the points ((n-2)*(n-1),(n-1)*n/2), ((n-1)*n/2,n*(n+1)/2), ((n+1)*(n+2)/2,n*(n+1)/2), and ((n+2)*(n+3)/2,(n+1)*(n+2)/2). - J. M. Bergot, May 27 2014

Number of pairs (x, y) of Z^2, such that max(abs(x), abs(y)) <= n. - Michel Marcus, Nov 28 2014

Except for a(1)=4, the number of active (ON, black) cells in n-th stage of growth of two-dimensional cellular automaton defined by "Rule 737", based on the 5-celled von Neumann neighborhood. - Robert Price, May 23 2016

a(n) is the sum of 2n+1 consecutive numbers, the first of which is n+1. - Ivan N. Ianakiev, Dec 21 2016

a(n) is the number of 2 X 2 matrices with all elements in {0..n} with determinant = 2*permanent. - Indranil Ghosh, Dec 25 2016

Engel expansion of Pi*StruveL_0(1)/2 where StruveL_0(1) is A197037. - Benedict W. J. Irwin, Jun 21 2018

Consider all Pythagorean triples (X,Y,Z=Y+1) ordered by increasing Z; the segments on the hypotenuse {p = a(n)/A001844(n), q = A060300(n)/A001844(n) = A001844(n) - p} and their ratio p/q = a(n)/A060300(n) are irreducible fractions in Q\Z. X values are A005408, Y values are A046092, Z values are A001844. - Ralf Steiner, Feb 25 2020

a(n) is the number of large or small squares that are used to tile primitive squares of type 2 (A344332). - Bernard Schott, Jun 03 2021

Also, positive odd integers with an odd number of odd divisors (for similar sequence with 'even', see A348005). - Bernard Schott, Nov 21 2021

a(n) is the least odd number k = x + y, with 0 < x < y, such that there are n distinct pairs (x,y) for which x*y/k is an integer; for example, a(2) = 25 and the two corresponding pairs are (5,20) and (10,15). The similar sequence with 'even' is A016742 (see Comment of Jan 26 2018). - Bernard Schott, Feb 24 2023

From Peter Bala, Jan 03 2024: (Start)

The sequence terms are the exponents of q in the series expansions of the following infinite products:

1) q*Product_{n >= 1} (1 - q^(16*n))*(1 + q^(8*n)) = q + q^9 + q^25 + q^49 + q^81 + q^121 + q^169 + ....

2) q*Product_{n >= 1} (1 + q^(16*n))*(1 - q^(8*n)) = q - q^9 - q^25 + q^49 + q^81 - q^121 - q^169 + + - - ....

3) q*Product_{n >= 1} (1 - q^(8*n))^3 = q - 3*q^9 + 5*q^25 - 7*q^49 + 9*q^81 - 11*q^121 + 13*q^169 - + ....

4) q*Product_{n >= 1} ( (1 + q^(8*n))*(1 - q^(16*n))/(1 + q^(16*n)) )^3 = q + 3*q^9 - 5*q^25 - 7*q^49 + 9*q^81 + 11*q^121 - 13*q^169 - 15*q^225 + + - - .... (End)

From Floor van Lamoen, Jul 21 2001: (Start)

Write 1,2,3,4,... in a hexagonal spiral around 0; then a(n) is the sequence found by reading the line from 0 in the direction 0,1,....

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

\ \ \ \ \ . / / / /

92 62 38 20 8---9--10 25 46 73

\ \ \ \ . / / /

93 63 39 21--22--23--24 45 72

\ \ \ . / /

94 64 40--41--42--43--44 71

\ \ . /

95 65--66--67--68--69--70

\ .

96

.

(End)

From Lekraj Beedassy, Oct 02 2003: (Start)

Also the number of distinct three-cell blocks that may be removed out of A000217(n+1) square cells arranged in a stepping triangular array of side (n+1). A 5-layer triangular array of square cells, for instance, has vertices outlined thus:

x x

x x x

x x x x

x x x x x

x x x x x x

x x x x x x (End)

First derivative at n of A045991. - Ross La Haye, Oct 23 2004

Starting from n=1, the sequence corresponds to the Wiener index of K_{n,n} (the complete bipartite graph wherein each independent set has n vertices). - Kailasam Viswanathan Iyer, Mar 11 2009

Number of divisors of 24^(n-1) for n > 0 (cf A009968). - J. Lowell, Aug 30 2008

a(n) = A001399(6n-5), number of partitions of 6*n - 5 into parts < 4. For example a(2)=8 and partitions of 6*2 - 5 = 7 into parts < 4 are: [1,1,1,1,1,1,1], [1,1,1,1,1,2],[1,1,1,1,3], [1,1,1,2,2], [1,1,2,3], [1,2,2,2], [1,3,3], [2,2,3]. - Adi Dani, Jun 07 2011

Also, sequence found by reading the line from 0 in the direction 0, 8, ..., and the parallel line from 1 in the direction 1, 21, ..., in the square spiral whose vertices are the generalized octagonal numbers A001082. - Omar E. Pol, Sep 10 2011

Partial sums give A002414. - Omar E. Pol, Jan 12 2013

Generate a Pythagorean triple using Euclid's formula with (n, n-1) to give A,B,C. a(n) = B + (A + C)/2. - J. M. Bergot, Jul 13 2013

The number of active (ON, black) cells in n-th stage of growth of two-dimensional cellular automaton defined by "Rule 773", based on the 5-celled von Neumann neighborhood. - Robert Price, May 23 2016

For n >= 1, the continued fraction expansion of sqrt(27*a(n)) is [9n-4; {1, 2n-2, 3, 2n-2, 1, 18n-8}]. For n=1, this collapses to [5; {5, 10}]. - Magus K. Chu, Oct 10 2022

a(n)*a(n+1) + 1 = (3n^2 + n - 1)^2. In general, a(n)*a(n+k) + k^2 = (3n^2 + (3k-2)n - k)^2. - Charlie Marion, May 23 2023

Apart from initial term(s), dimension of the space of weight 2n cusp forms for Gamma_0( 14 ).

A000466(n), a(n) and A053755(n) are Pythagorean triples. - Zak Seidov, Jan 16 2007

If X is an n-set and Y and Z disjoint 2-subsets of X then a(n-3) is equal to the number of 3-subsets of X intersecting both Y and Z. - Milan Janjic, Aug 26 2007

Number of n-permutations (n>=1) of 5 objects u, v, z, x, y with repetition allowed, containing n-1 u's. Example: if n=1 then n-1 = zero (0) u, a(1)=4 because we have v, z, x, y. If n=2 then n-1 = one (1) u, a(2)=8 because we have vu, zu, xu, yu, uv, uz, ux, uy. A038231 formatted as a triangular array: diagonal: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, ... - Zerinvary Lajos, Aug 06 2008

For n > 0: numbers having more even than odd divisors: A048272(a(n)) < 0. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jan 21 2012

A214546(a(n)) < 0 for n > 0. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jul 20 2012

A090418(a(n)) = 0 for n > 0. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Aug 06 2012

Terms are the differences of consecutive centered square numbers (A001844). - Mihir Mathur, Apr 02 2013

a(n)*Pi = nonnegative zeros of the cycloid generated by a circle of radius 2 rolling along the positive x-axis from zero. - Wesley Ivan Hurt, Jul 01 2013

Apart from the initial term, number of vertices of minimal path on an n-dimensional cubic lattice (n>1) of side length 2, until a self-avoiding walk gets stuck. A004767 + 1. - Matthew Lehman, Dec 23 2013

The number of orbits of Aut(Z^7) as function of the infinity norm n of the representative lattice point of the orbit, when the cardinality of the orbit is equal to 2688. - Philippe A.J.G. Chevalier, Dec 29 2015

First differences of A001844. - Robert Price, May 13 2016

Numbers k such that Fibonacci(k) is a multiple of 3 (A033888). - Bruno Berselli, Oct 17 2017

4 times the squares.

Number of edges in the complete bipartite graph of order 5n, K_{n,4n} - Roberto E. Martinez II, Jan 07 2002

It is conjectured (I think) that a regular Hadamard matrix of order n exists iff n is an even square (cf. Seberry and Yamada, Th. 10.11). A Hadamard matrix is regular if the sum of the entries in each row is the same. - N. J. A. Sloane, Nov 13 2008

Sequence arises from reading the line from 0, in the direction 0, 16, ... and the line from 4, in the direction 4, 36, ... in the square spiral whose vertices are the squares A000290. - Omar E. Pol, May 24 2008

The entries from a(1) on can be interpreted as pair sums of (2, 2), (8, 8), (18, 18), (32, 32) etc. that arise from a re-arrangement of the subshell orbitals in the periodic table of elements. 8 becomes the maximum number of electrons in the (2s,2p) or (3s,3p) orbitals, 18 the maximum number of electrons in (4s,3d,4p) or (5s,3d,5p) shells, for example. - Julio Antonio Gutiérrez Samanez, Jul 20 2008

The first two terms of the sequence (n=1, 2) give the numbers of chemical elements using only n types of atomic orbitals, i.e., there are a(1)=4 elements (H,He,Li,Be) where electrons reside only on s-orbitals, there are a(2)=16 elements (B,C,N,O,F,Ne,Na,Mg,Al,Si,P,S,Cl,Ar,K,Ca) where electrons reside only on s- and p-orbitals. However, after that, there is 37 (which is one more than a(3)=36) elements (from Sc, Scandium, atomic number 21 to La, Lanthanum, atomic number 57) where electrons reside only on s-, p- and d-orbitals. This is because Lanthanum (with the electron configuration [Xe]5d^1 6s^2) is an exception to the Aufbau principle, which would predict that its electron configuration is [Xe]4f^1 6s^2. - Antti Karttunen, Aug 14 2008.

Number of cycles of length 3 in the king's graph associated with an (n+1) X (n+1) chessboard. - Anton Voropaev (anton.n.voropaev(AT)gmail.com), Feb 01 2009

a(n+1) is the molecular topological index of the n-star graph S_n. - Eric W. Weisstein, Jul 11 2011

a(n) is the sum of two consecutives odd numbers 2*n^2-1 and 2*n^2+1 and the difference of two squares (n^2+1)^2 - (n^2-1)^2. - Pierre CAMI, Jan 02 2012

For n > 3, a(n) is the area of the irregular quadrilateral created by the points ((n-4)*(n-3)/2,(n-3)*(n-2)/2), ((n-2)*(n-1)/2,(n-1)*n/2), ((n+1)*(n+2)/2,n*(n+1)/2), and ((n+3)*(n+4)/2,(n+2)*(n+3)/2). - J. M. Bergot, May 27 2014

Number of terms less than 10^k: 1, 2, 5, 16, 50, 159, 500, 1582, 5000, 15812, 50000, 158114, 500000, ... - Muniru A Asiru, Jan 28 2018

Right-hand side of the binomial coefficient identity Sum_{k = 0..2*n} (-1)^(k+1)* binomial(2*n,k)*binomial(2*n + k,k)*(2*n - k) = a(n). - Peter Bala, Jan 12 2022