cp's OEIS Frontend

a(n) = p(n + 1) where p(x) is the unique degree-n polynomial such that p(k) = Catalan(k) for k = 0, 1, ..., n. - Michael Somos, Jan 05 2012

Number of Dyck (n+1)-paths whose minimum ascent length is 1. - David Scambler, Aug 22 2012

From Alois P. Heinz, Jun 29 2014: (Start)

a(n) is the number of ordered rooted trees with n+2 nodes such that the minimal outdegree equals 1. a(2) = 4:

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(End)

Number of non-crossing partitions of {1,2,..,n+1} that contain cyclical adjacencies. a(2) = 4, [12|3, 13|2, 1|23, 123]. - Yuchun Ji, Nov 13 2020

Also called Motzkin summands or ring numbers.

The old name was "Motzkin sums", used in certain publications. The sequence has the property that Motzkin(n) = A001006(n) = a(n) + a(n+1), e.g., A001006(4) = 9 = 3 + 6 = a(4) + a(5).

Number of 'Catalan partitions', that is partitions of a set 1,2,3,...,n into parts that are not singletons and whose convex hulls are disjoint when the points are arranged on a circle (so when the parts are all pairs we get Catalan numbers). - Aart Blokhuis (aartb(AT)win.tue.nl), Jul 04 2000

Number of ordered trees with n edges and no vertices of outdegree 1. For n > 1, number of dissections of a convex polygon by nonintersecting diagonals with a total number of n+1 edges. - Emeric Deutsch, Mar 06 2002

Number of Motzkin paths of length n with no horizontal steps at level 0. - Emeric Deutsch, Nov 09 2003

Number of Dyck paths of semilength n with no peaks at odd level. Example: a(4)=3 because we have UUUUDDDD, UUDDUUDD and UUDUDUDD, where U=(1,1), D=(1,-1). Number of Dyck paths of semilength n with no ascents of length 1 (an ascent in a Dyck path is a maximal string of up steps). Example: a(4)=3 because we have UUUUDDDD, UUDDUUDD and UUDUUDDD. - Emeric Deutsch, Dec 05 2003

Arises in Schubert calculus as follows. Let P = complex projective space of dimension n+1. Take n projective subspaces of codimension 3 in P in general position. Then a(n) is the number of lines of P intersecting all these subspaces. - F. Hirzebruch, Feb 09 2004

Difference between central trinomial coefficient and its predecessor. Example: a(6) = 15 = 141 - 126 and (1 + x + x^2)^6 = ... + 126*x^5 + 141*x^6 + ... (Catalan number A000108(n) is the difference between central binomial coefficient and its predecessor.) - David Callan, Feb 07 2004

a(n) = number of 321-avoiding permutations on [n] in which each left-to-right maximum is a descent (i.e., is followed by a smaller number). For example, a(4) counts 4123, 3142, 2143. - David Callan, Jul 20 2005

The Hankel transform of this sequence give A000012 = [1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, ...]; example: Det([1, 0, 1, 1; 0, 1, 1, 3; 1, 1, 3, 6; 1, 3, 6, 15]) = 1. - Philippe Deléham, May 28 2005

The number of projective invariants of degree 2 for n labeled points on the projective line. - Benjamin J. Howard (bhoward(AT)ima.umn.edu), Nov 24 2006

Define a random variable X=trA^2, where A is a 2 X 2 unitary symplectic matrix chosen from USp(2) with Haar measure. The n-th central moment of X is E[(X+1)^n] = a(n). - Andrew V. Sutherland, Dec 02 2007

Let V be the adjoint representation of the complex Lie algebra sl(2). The dimension of the invariant subspace of the n-th tensor power of V is a(n). - Samson Black (sblack1(AT)uoregon.edu), Aug 27 2008

Starting with offset 3 = iterates of M * [1,1,1,...], where M = a tridiagonal matrix with [0,1,1,1,...] in the main diagonal and [1,1,1,...] in the super and subdiagonals. - Gary W. Adamson, Jan 08 2009

a(n) has the following standard-Young-tableaux (SYT) interpretation: binomial(n+1,k)*binomial(n-k-1,k-1)/(n+1)=f^(k,k,1^{n-2k}) where f^lambda equals the number of SYT of shape lambda. - Amitai Regev (amotai.regev(AT)weizmann.ac.il), Mar 02 2010

a(n) is also the sum of the numbers of standard Young tableaux of shapes (k,k,1^{n-2k}) for all 1 <= k <= floor(n/2). - Amitai Regev (amotai.regev(AT)weizmann.ac.il), Mar 10 2010

a(n) is the number of derangements of {1,2,...,n} having genus 0. The genus g(p) of a permutation p of {1,2,...,n} is defined by g(p)=(1/2)[n+1-z(p)-z(cp')], where p' is the inverse permutation of p, c = 234...n1 = (1,2,...,n), and z(q) is the number of cycles of the permutation q. Example: a(3)=1 because p=231=(123) is the only derangement of {1,2,3} with genus 0. Indeed, cp'=231*312=123=(1)(2)(3) and so g(p) = (1/2)(3+1-1-3)=0. - Emeric Deutsch, May 29 2010

Apparently: Number of Dyck 2n-paths with all ascents length 2 and no descent length 2. - David Scambler, Apr 17 2012

This is true. Proof: The mapping "insert a peak (UD) after each upstep (U)" is a bijection from all Dyck n-paths to those Dyck (2n)-paths in which each ascent is of length 2. It sends descents of length 1 in the n-path to descents of length 2 in the (2n)-path. But Dyck n-paths with no descents of length 1 are equinumerous with Riordan n-paths (Motzkin n-paths with no flatsteps at ground level) as follows. Given a Dyck n-path with no descents of length 1, split it into consecutive step pairs, then replace UU with U, DD with D, UD with a blue flatstep (F), DU with a red flatstep, and concatenate the new steps to get a colored Motzkin path. Each red F will be (immediately) preceded by a blue F or a D. In the latter case, transfer the red F so that it precedes the matching U of the D. Finally, erase colors to get the required Riordan path. For example, with lowercase f denoting a red flatstep, U^5 D^2 U D^4 U^4 D^3 U D^2 -> (U^2, U^2, UD, DU, D^2, D^2, U^2, U^2 D^2, DU, D^2) -> UUFfDDUUDfD -> UUFFDDUFUDD. - David Callan, Apr 25 2012

From Nolan Wallach, Aug 20 2014: (Start)

Let ch[part1, part2] be the value of the character of the symmetric group on n letters corresponding to the partition part1 of n on the conjucgacy class given by part2. Let A[n] be the set of (n+1) partitions of 2n with parts 1 or 2. Then deleting the first term of the sequence one has a(n) = Sum_{k=1..n+1} binomial(n,k-1)*ch[[n,n], A[n][[k]]])/2^n. This via the Frobenius Character Formula can be interpreted as the dimension of the SL(n,C) invariants in tensor^n (wedge^2 C^n).

Explanation: Let p_j denote sum (x_i)^j the sum in k variables. Then the Frobenius formula says then (p_1)^j_1 (p_2)^j_2 ... (p_r)^j_r is equal to sum(lambda, ch[lambda, 1^j_12^j_2 ... r^j_r] S_lambda) with S_lambda the Schur function corresponding to lambda. This formula implies that the coefficient of S([n,n]) in (((p_1)^1+p_2)/2)^n in its expansion in terms of Schur functions is the right hand side of our formula. If we specialize the number of variables to 2 then S[n,n](x,y)=(xy)^n. Which when restricted to y=x^(-1) is 1. That is it is 1 on SL(2).

On the other hand ((p_1)^2+p_2)/2 is the complete homogeneous symmetric function of degree 2 that is tr(S^2(X)). Thus our formula for a(n) is the same as that of Samson Black above since his V is the same as S^2(C^2) as a representation of SL(2). On the other hand, if we multiply ch(lambda) by sgn you get ch(Transpose(lambda)). So ch([n,n]) becomes ch([2,...,2]) (here there are n 2's). The formula for a(n) is now (1/2^n)*Sum_{j=0..n} ch([2,..,2], 1^(2n-2j) 2^j])*(-1)^j)*binomial(n,j), which calculates the coefficient of S_(2,...,2) in (((p_1)^2-p_2)/2)^n. But ((p_1)^2-p_2)/2 in n variables is the second elementary symmetric function which is the character of wedge^2 C^n and S_(2,...,2) is 1 on SL(n).

(End)

a(n) = number of noncrossing partitions (A000108) of [n] that contain no singletons, also number of nonnesting partitions (A000108) of [n] that contain no singletons. - David Callan, Aug 27 2014

From Tom Copeland, Nov 02 2014: (Start)

Let P(x) = x/(1+x) with comp. inverse Pinv(x) = x/(1-x) = -P[-x], and C(x)= [1-sqrt(1-4x)]/2, an o.g.f. for the shifted Catalan numbers A000108, with inverse Cinv(x) = x * (1-x).

Fin(x) = P[C(x)] = C(x)/[1 + C(x)] is an o.g.f. for the Fine numbers, A000957 with inverse Fin^(-1)(x) = Cinv[Pinv(x)] = Cinv[-P(-x)].

Mot(x) = C[P(x)] = C[-Pinv(-x)] gives an o.g.f. for shifted A005043, the Motzkin or Riordan numbers with comp. inverse Mot^(-1)(x) = Pinv[Cinv(x)] = (x - x^2) / (1 - x + x^2) (cf. A057078).

BTC(x) = C[Pinv(x)] gives A007317, a binomial transform of the Catalan numbers, with BTC^(-1)(x) = P[Cinv(x)].

Fib(x) = -Fin[Cinv(Cinv(-x))] = -P[Cinv(-x)] = x + 2 x^2 + 3 x^3 + 5 x^4 + ... = (x+x^2)/[1-x-x^2] is an o.g.f. for the shifted Fibonacci sequence A000045, so the comp. inverse is Fib^(-1)(x) = -C[Pinv(-x)] = -BTC(-x) and Fib(x) = -BTC^(-1)(-x).

Various relations among the o.g.f.s may be easily constructed, such as Fib[-Mot(-x)] = -P[P(-x)] = x/(1-2*x) a generating fct for 2^n.

Generalizing to P(x,t) = x /(1 + t*x) and Pinv(x,t) = x /(1 - t*x) = -P(-x,t) gives other relations to lattice paths, such as the o.g.f. for A091867, C[P[x,1-t]], and that for A104597, Pinv[Cinv(x),t+1]. (End)

Consistent with David Callan's comment above, A249548, provides a refinement of the Motzkin sums into the individual numbers for the non-crossing partitions he describes. - Tom Copeland, Nov 09 2014

The number of lattice paths from (0,0) to (n,0) that do not cross below the x-axis and use up-step=(1,1) and down-steps=(1,-k) where k is a positive integer. For example, a(4) = 3: [(1,1)(1,1)(1,-1)(1,-1)], [(1,1)(1,-1)(1,1)(1,-1)] and [(1,1)(1,1)(1,1)(1,-3)]. - Nicholas Ham, Aug 19 2015

A series created using 2*(a(n) + a(n+1)) + (a(n+1) + a(n+2)) has Hankel transform of F(2n), offset 3, F being a Fibonacci number, A001906 (Empirical observation). - Tony Foster III, Jul 30 2016

The series a(n) + A001006(n) has Hankel transform F(2n+1), offset n=1, F being the Fibonacci bisection A001519 (empirical observation). - Tony Foster III, Sep 05 2016

The Rubey and Stump reference proves a refinement of a conjecture of René Marczinzik, which they state as: "The number of 2-Gorenstein algebras which are Nakayama algebras with n simple modules and have an oriented line as associated quiver equals the number of Motzkin paths of length n. Moreover, the number of such algebras having the double centraliser property with respect to a minimal faithful projective-injective module equals the number of Riordan paths, that is, Motzkin paths without level-steps at height zero, of length n." - Eric M. Schmidt, Dec 16 2017

A connection to the Thue-Morse sequence: (-1)^a(n) = (-1)^A010060(n) * (-1)^A010060(n+1) = A106400(n) * A106400(n+1). - Vladimir Reshetnikov, Jul 21 2019

Named by Bernhart (1999) after the American mathematician John Riordan (1903-1988). - Amiram Eldar, Apr 15 2021

Partial sums of A002212 (the restricted hexagonal polyominoes with n cells). Number of Schroeder paths (i.e., consisting of steps U=(1,1),D=(1,-1),H=(2,0) and never going below the x-axis) from (0,0) to (2n-2,0), with no peaks at even level. Example: a(3)=5 because among the six Schroeder paths from (0,0) to (4,0) only UUDD has a peak at an even level. - Emeric Deutsch, Dec 06 2003

Number of binary trees of weight n where leaves have positive integer weights. Non-commutative Non-associative version of partitions of n. - Michael Somos, May 23 2005

Appears also as the number of Euler trees with total weight n (associated with even switching class of matrices of order 2n). - David Garber, Sep 19 2005

Number of symmetric hex trees with 2n-1 edges; also number of symmetric hex trees with 2n-2 edges. A hex tree is a rooted tree where each vertex has 0, 1, or 2 children and, when only one child is present, it is either a left child, or a median child, or a right child (name due to an obvious bijection with certain tree-like polyhexes; see the Harary-Read reference). A hex tree is symmetric if it is identical with its reflection in a bisector through the root. - Emeric Deutsch, Dec 19 2006

The Hankel transform of [1, 2, 5, 15, 51, 188, ...] is [1, 1, 1, 1, 1, ...], see A000012 ; the Hankel transform of [2, 5, 15, 51, 188, 731, ...] is [2, 5, 13, 34, 89, ...], see A001519. - Philippe Deléham, Dec 19 2006

a(n) = number of 321-avoiding partitions of [n]. A partition is 321-avoiding if the permutation obtained from its canonical form (entries in each block listed in increasing order and blocks listed in increasing order of their first entries) is 321-avoiding. For example, the only partition of [5] that fails to be 321-avoiding is 15/24/3 because the entries 5,4,3 in the permutation 15243 form a 321 pattern. - David Callan, Jul 22 2008

The sequence 1,1,2,5,15,51,188,... has Hankel transform A001519. - Paul Barry, Jan 13 2009

From Gary W. Adamson, May 17 2009: (Start)

Equals INVERT transform of A033321: (1, 1, 2, 6, 21, 79, 311, ...).

Equals INVERTi transform of A002212: (1, 3, 10, 36, 137, ...).

Convolved with A026378, (1, 4, 17, 75, 339, ...) = A026376: (1, 6, 30, 144, ...)

(End)

a(n) is the number of vertices of the composihedron CK(n). The composihedra are a sequence of convex polytopes used to define maps of certain homotopy H-spaces. They are cellular quotients of the multiplihedra and cellular covers of the cubes. - Stefan Forcey (sforcey(AT)gmail.com), Dec 17 2009

a(n) is the number of Motzkin paths of length n-1 in which the (1,0)-steps at level 0 come in 2 colors and those at a higher level come in 3 colors. Example: a(4)=15 because we have 2^3 = 8 paths of shape UHD, 2 paths of shape HUD, 2 paths of shape UDH, and 3 paths of shape UHD; here U=(1,1), H=(1,0), and D=(1,-1). - Emeric Deutsch, May 02 2011

REVERT transform of (1, 2, -3, 5, -8, 13, -21, 34, ... ) where the entries are Fibonacci numbers, A000045. Equivalently, coefficients in the series reversion of x(1-x)/(1+x-x^2). This means that the substitution of the gf (1-x-(1-6x+5x^2)^(1/2))/(2(1-x)) for x in x(1-x)/(1+x-x^2) will simplify to x. - David Callan, Nov 11 2012

The number of plane trees with nodes that have positive integer weights and whose total weight is n. - Brad R. Jones, Jun 12 2014

From Tom Copeland, Nov 02 2014: (Start)

Let P(x) = x/(1+x) with comp. inverse Pinv(x) = x/(1-x) = -P[-x], and C(x)= [1-sqrt(1-4x)]/2, an o.g.f. for the shifted Catalan numbers A000108, with inverse Cinv(x) = x * (1-x).

Fin(x) = P[C(x)] = C(x)/[1 + C(x)] is an o.g.f. for the Fine numbers, A000957 with inverse Fin^(-1)(x) = Cinv[Pinv(x)] = Cinv[-P(-x)].

Mot(x) = C[P(x)] = C[-Pinv(-x)] gives an o.g.f. for shifted A005043, the Motzkin or Riordan numbers with comp. inverse Mot^(-1)(x) = Pinv[Cinv(x)] = (x - x^2) / (1 - x + x^2) (cf. A057078).

BTC(x) = C[Pinv(x)] gives A007317, a binomial transform of the Catalan numbers, with BTC^(-1)(x) = P[Cinv(x)] = (x-x^2) / (1 + x - x^2).

Fib(x) = -Fin[Cinv(Cinv(-x))] = -P[Cinv(-x)] = x + 2 x^2 + 3 x^3 + 5 x^4 + ... = (x+x^2)/[1-x-x^2] is an o.g.f. for the shifted Fibonacci sequence A000045, so the comp. inverse is Fib^(-1)(x) = -C[Pinv(-x)] = -BTC(-x) and Fib(x) = -BTC^(-1)(-x).

Generalizing to P(x,t) = x /(1 + t*x) and Pinv(x,t) = x /(1 - t*x) = -P(-x,t) gives other relations to lattice paths, such as the o.g.f. for A091867, C[P[x,1-t]], and that for A104597, Pinv[Cinv(x),t+1].

(End)

Starting with offset 0, a(n) is also the number of Schröder paths of semilength n avoiding UH (an up step directly followed by a long horizontal step). Example: a(2)=5 because among the six possible Schröder paths of semilength 2 only UHD contains UH. - Valerie Roitner, Jul 23 2020

The Donaghey reference shows that a(n) is the number of n-vertex binary trees such that for each non-root vertex that is incident to exactly two edges, these two edges have opposite slope. It also notes that these trees correspond to Dyck n-paths (A000108) containing no DUDUs and no subpaths of the form UUPDD with P a nonempty Dyck path. For example, a(3)=3 counts UUDUDD, UDUUDD, UUDDUD. - David Callan, Sep 25 2006

Hankel transform of the sequence starting with 2 appears to be 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, ... Gary W. Adamson, May 27 2011

Number of (s(0), s(1), ..., s(n)) such that s(i) is a nonnegative integer and |s(i) - s(i-1)| = 1 for i = 1,2,...,n, s(0) = s(2n) = 2.

Number of Dyck paths of semilength n+2 with no initial and no final UD's. Example: a(2)=6 because the only Dyck paths of semilength 4 with no initial and no final UD's are UUDUDUDD, UUDUUDDD, UUUDDUDD, UUUDUDDD, UUDDUUDD, UUUUDDDD. - Emeric Deutsch, Oct 26 2003

Number of branches of length 1 starting from the root in all ordered trees with n+1 edges. Example: a(1)=2 because the tree /\ has two branches of length 1 starting from the root and the path-tree of length 2 has none. a(n) = Sum_{k=0..n+1} (k*A127158(n+1,k)). - Emeric Deutsch, Mar 01 2007

Number of staircase walks from (0,0) to (n,n) that never cross y=x+2. Example: a(3) = 19 because up,up,up,right,right,right is not allowed but the other binomial(6,3)-1 = 19 paths are. - Mark Spindler, Nov 11 2012

Number of standard Young tableaux of skew shape (n+2,n)/(2), for n>=2. - Ran Pan, Apr 07 2015

The underlying array A is A(n, k) = Sum_{j=0..n} binomial(n, j)*A000108(k+j), n >= 0, k>= 0. See the example section. - Wolfdieter Lang, Oct 04 2019