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

Consider all Pythagorean triples (X,Y,Z=Y+1) ordered by increasing Z; sequence gives Y values. X values are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, ... (A005408), Z values are A001844.

In the triple (X, Y, Z) we have X^2=Y+Z. Actually, the triple is given by {x, (x^2 -+ 1)/2}, where x runs over the odd numbers (A005408) and x^2 over the odd squares (A016754). - Lekraj Beedassy, Jun 11 2004

a(n) is the number of edges in n X n square grid with all horizontal and vertical segments filled in. - Asher Auel, Jan 12 2000 [Corrected by Felix Huber, Apr 09 2024]

a(n) is the only number satisfying an inequality related to zeta(2) and zeta(3): Sum_{i>a(n)+1} 1/i^2 < Sum_{i>n} 1/i^3 < Sum_{i>a(n)} 1/i^2. - Benoit Cloitre, Nov 02 2001

Number of right triangles made from vertices of a regular n-gon when n is even. - Sen-Peng Eu, Apr 05 2001

Number of ways to change two non-identical letters in the word aabbccdd..., where there are n type of letters. - Zerinvary Lajos, Feb 15 2005

a(n) is the number of (n-1)-dimensional sides of an (n+1)-dimensional hypercube (e.g., squares have 4 corners, cubes have 12 edges, etc.). - Freek van Walderveen (freek_is(AT)vanwal.nl), Nov 11 2005

From Nikolaos Diamantis (nikos7am(AT)yahoo.com), May 23 2006: (Start)

Consider a triangle, a pentagon, a heptagon, ..., a k-gon where k is odd. We label a triangle with n=1, a pentagon with n=2, ..., a k-gon with n = floor(k/2). Imagine a player standing at each vertex of the k-gon.

Initially there are 2 frisbees, one held by each of two neighboring players. Every time they throw the frisbee to one of their two nearest neighbors with equal probability. Then a(n) gives the average number of steps needed so that the frisbees meet.

I verified this by simulating the processes with a computer program. For example, a(2) = 12 because in a pentagon that's the expected number of trials we need to perform. That is an exercise in Concrete Mathematics and it can be done using generating functions. (End)

A diagonal of A059056. - Zerinvary Lajos, Jun 18 2007

If X_1,...,X_n is a partition of a 2n-set X into 2-blocks then a(n-1) is equal to the number of 2-subsets of X containing none of X_i, (i=1,...,n). - Milan Janjic, Jul 16 2007

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

Number of (n+1)-permutations of 3 objects u,v,w, with repetition allowed, containing n-1 u's. Example: a(1)=4 because we have vv, vw, wv and ww; a(2)=12 because we can place u in each of the previous four 2-permutations either in front, or in the middle, or at the end. - Zerinvary Lajos, Dec 27 2007

Sequence found by reading the line from 0, in the direction 0, 4, ... and the same line from 0, in the direction 0, 12, ..., in the square spiral whose vertices are the triangular numbers A000217. - Omar E. Pol, May 03 2008

a(n) is also the least weight of self-conjugate partitions having n different even parts. - Augustine O. Munagi, Dec 18 2008

From Peter Luschny, Jul 12 2009: (Start)

The general formula for alternating sums of powers of even integers is in terms of the Swiss-Knife polynomials P(n,x) A153641 (P(n,1)-(-1)^k P(n,2k+1))/2. Here n=2, thus

a(k) = |(P(2,1) - (-1)^k*P(2,2k+1))/2|. (End)

The sum of squares of n+1 consecutive numbers between a(n)-n and a(n) inclusive equals the sum of squares of n consecutive numbers following a(n). For example, for n = 2, a(2) = 12, and the corresponding equation is 10^2 + 11^2 + 12^2 = 13^2 + 14^2. - Tanya Khovanova, Jul 20 2009

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

Draw n ellipses in the plane (n>0), any 2 meeting in 4 points; sequence gives number of intersections of these ellipses (cf. A051890, A001844); a(n) = A051890(n+1) - 2 = A001844(n) - 1. - Jaroslav Krizek, Dec 27 2013

a(n) appears also as the second member of the quartet [p0(n), a(n), p2(n), p3(n)] of the square of [n, n+1, n+2, n+3] in the Clifford algebra Cl_2 for n >= 0. p0(n) = -A147973(n+3), p2(n) = A054000(n+1) and p3(n) = A139570(n). See a comment on A147973, also with a reference. - Wolfdieter Lang, Oct 15 2014

a(n) appears also as the third and fourth member of the quartet [p0(n), p0(n), a(n), a(n)] of the square of [n, n, n+1, n+1] in the Clifford algebra Cl_2 for n >= 0. p0(n) = A001105(n). - Wolfdieter Lang, Oct 16 2014

Consider two equal rectangles composed of unit squares. Then surround the 1st rectangle with 1-unit-wide layers to build larger rectangles, and surround the 2nd rectangle just to hide the previous layers. If r(n) and h(n) are the number of unit squares needed for n layers in the 1st case and the 2nd case, then for all rectangles, we have a(n) = r(n) - h(n) for n>=1. - Michel Marcus, Sep 28 2015

When greater than 4, a(n) is the perimeter of a Pythagorean triangle with an even short leg 2*n. - Agola Kisira Odero, Apr 26 2016

Also the number of minimum connected dominating sets in the (n+1)-cocktail party graph. - Eric W. Weisstein, Jun 29 2017

a(n+1) is the harmonic mean of A000384(n+2) and A014105(n+1). - Bob Andriesse, Apr 27 2019

Consider a circular cake from which wedges of equal center angle c are cut out in clockwise succession and turned around so that the bottom comes to the top. This goes on until the cake shows its initial surface again. An interesting case occurs if 360°/c is not an integer. Then, with n = floor(360°/c), the number of wedges which have to be cut out and turned equals a(n). (For the number of cutting line segments see A005408.) - According to Peter Winkler's book "Mathematical Mind-Benders", which presents the problem and its solution (see Winkler, pp. 111, 115) the problem seems to be of French origin but little is known about its history. - Manfred Boergens, Apr 05 2022

a(n-3) is the maximum irregularity over all maximal 2-degenerate graphs with n vertices. The extremal graphs are 2-stars (K_2 joined to n-2 independent vertices). (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

Number of ways of placing a domino on a (n+1)X(n+1) board of squares. - R. J. Mathar, Apr 24 2024

The sequence terms are the exponents in the expansion of (1/(1 + x)) * Sum_{n >= 0} x^n * Product_{k = 1..n} (1 - x^(2*k-1))/(1 + x^(2*k+1)) = 1 - x^4 + x^12 - x^24 + x^40 - x^60 + - ... (Andrews and Berndt, Entry 9.3.3, p. 229). Cf. A153140. - Peter Bala, Feb 15 2025

Number of edges in an (n+1)-dimensional orthoplex. 2D orthoplexes (diamonds) have 4 edges, 3D orthoplexes (octahedrons) have 12 edges, 4D orthoplexes (16-cell) have 24 edges, and so on. - Aaron Franke, Mar 23 2025

Go forwards and backwards with increasing step sizes. - Daniele Parisse and Franco Virga, Jun 06 2005

The partial sums of the divergent series 1 - 2 + 3 - 4 + ... give this sequence. Euler summed it to 1/4 which was one of the first examples of summing divergent series. - Michael Somos, May 22 2007

From Peter Luschny, Jul 12 2009: (Start)

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^(-2)(P(1,1)-(-1)^k P(1,2k+1)). (End)

Let A be the Hessenberg matrix of order n, defined by: A[1,j]=1, A[i,i]:=-1, A[i,i-1]=-1, and A[i,j]=0 otherwise. Then, for n>=4, a(n-3)=(-1)^(n-1)*coeff(charpoly(A,x),x). - Milan Janjic, Jan 26 2010

Cantor ordering of the integers producing a 1-1 and onto correspondence between the natural numbers and the integers showing that the set Z of integers has the same cardinality as the set N of natural numbers. The cardinal of N is the first transfinite cardinal aleph_null (or aleph_naught), which is the cardinality of a given infinite set if and only if it is countably infinite (denumerable), i.e., it can be put in 1-1 and onto correspondence (with a proper Cantor ordering) with the natural numbers. - Daniel Forgues, Jan 23 2010

a(n) is the determinant of the (n+2) X (n+2) (0,1)-Toeplitz matrix M satisfying: M(i,j)=0 iff i=j or i=j-1. The matrix M arises in the variation of ménage problem where not a round table, but one side of a rectangular table is considered (see comments of Vladimir Shevelev in A000271). Namely M(i,j) defines the class of permutations p of 1,2,...,n+2 such that p(i)<>i and p(i)<>i+1 for i=1,2,...,n+1, and p(n+2)<>n+2. And a(n) is also the difference between the number of even and odd such permutations. - Dmitry Efimov, Mar 02 2017

From Peter Bala, Feb 02 2011: (Start)

The Springer numbers were originally considered by Glaisher (see references). They are a type B analog of the zigzag numbers A000111 for the group of signed permutations.

COMBINATORIAL INTERPRETATIONS

Several combinatorial interpretations of the Springer numbers are known:

1) a(n) gives the number of Weyl chambers in the principal Springer cone of the Coxeter group B_n of symmetries of an n dimensional cube. An example can be found in [Arnold - The Calculus of snakes...].

2) Arnold found an alternative combinatorial interpretation of the Springer numbers in terms of snakes. Snakes are a generalization of alternating permutations to the group of signed permutations. A signed permutation is a sequence (x_1,x_2,...,x_n) of integers such that {|x_1|,|x_2|,...,|x_n|} = {1,2,...,n}. They form a group, the hyperoctahedral group of order 2^n*n! = A000165(n), isomorphic to the group of symmetries of the n dimensional cube. A snake of type B_n is a signed permutation (x_1,x_2,...,x_n) such that 0 < x_1 > x_2 < ... x_n. For example, (3,-4,-2,-5,1,-6) is a snake of type B_6. a(n) gives the number of snakes of type B_n [Arnold]. The cases n=2 and n=3 are given in the Example section below.

3) The Springer numbers also arise in the study of the critical points of functions; they count the topological types of odd functions with 2*n critical values [Arnold, Theorem 35].

4) Let F_n be the set of plane rooted forests satisfying the following conditions:

... each root has exactly one child, and each of the other internal nodes has exactly two (ordered) children,

... there are n nodes labeled by integers from 1 to n, but some leaves can be non-labeled (these are called empty leaves), and labels are increasing from each root down to the leaves. Then a(n) equals the cardinality of F_n. An example and proof are given in [Verges, Theorem 4.5].

OTHER APPEARANCES OF THE SPRINGER NUMBERS

1) Hoffman has given a connection between Springer numbers, snakes and the successive derivatives of the secant and tangent functions.

2) For integer N the quarter Gauss sums Q(N) are defined by ... Q(N) := Sum_{r = 0..floor(N/4)} exp(2*Pi*I*r^2/N). In the cases N = 1 (mod 4) and N = 3 (mod 4) an asymptotic series for Q(N) as N -> inf that involves the Springer numbers has been given by Evans et al., see 1.32 and 1.33.

For a sequence of polynomials related to the Springer numbers see A185417. For a table to recursively compute the Springer numbers see A185418.

(End)

Similar to the way in which the signed Euler numbers A122045 are 2^n times the value of the Euler polynomials at 1/2, the generalized signed Euler numbers A188458 can be seen as 2^n times the value of generalized Euler polynomials at 1/2. These are the Swiss-Knife polynomials A153641. A recursive definition of these polynomials is given in A081658. - Peter Luschny, Jul 19 2012

a(n) is the number of reverse-complementary updown permutations of [2n]. For example, the updown permutation 241635 is reverse-complementary because its complement is 536142, which is the same as its reverse, and a(2)=3 counts 1324, 2413, 3412. - David Callan, Nov 29 2012

a(n) = |2^n G(n,1/2;-1)|, a specialization of the Appell sequence of polynomials umbrally formed by G(n,x;t) = (G(.,0;t) + x)^n from the Grassmann polynomials G(n,0;t) of A046802 enumerating the cells of the positive Grassmannians. - Tom Copeland, Oct 14 2015

Named "Springer numbers" after the Dutch mathematician Tonny Albert Springer (1926-2011). - Amiram Eldar, Jun 13 2021

The boustrophedon transform {t} of a sequence {s} is given by t_n = Sum_{k=0..n} T(n,k)*s(k). Triangle may be called the boustrophedon triangle.

The 'signed version' of the triangle is the exponential Riordan array [sech(x) + tanh(x), x]. - Peter Luschny, Jan 24 2009

Up to signs, the matrix is self-inverse: T^(-1)(n,k) = (-1)^(n+k)*T(n,k). - R. J. Mathar, Mar 15 2013

This sequence arises from reading the line from 0, in the direction 0, 1, ... and the same line from 0, in the direction 0, 8, ..., in the square spiral whose vertices are the triangular numbers A000217. Cf. A139591, etc. - Omar E. Pol, May 03 2008

The general formula for alternating sums of powers of odd integers is in terms of the Swiss-Knife polynomials P(n,x) A153641 (P(n,0)-(-1)^k*P(n,2*k))/2. Here n=2, thus a(k) = |(P(2,0)-(-1)^k*P(2,2*k))/2|. - Peter Luschny, Jul 12 2009

Axis perpendicular to A046092 in the square spiral whose vertices are the triangular numbers A000217. See the comment above. - Omar E. Pol, Sep 14 2011

Column 8 of A195040. - Omar E. Pol, Sep 28 2011

Concentric octagonal numbers. A139098 and A069129 interleaved. - Omar E. Pol, Sep 17 2011

Subsequence of A194274. - Bruno Berselli, Sep 22 2011

Partial sums of A047522. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jan 07 2012

Alternating sum of the first n odd squares in decreasing order, n >= 1. Also number of "ON" cells at n-th stage in simple 2-dimensional cellular automaton. The rules are: on the infinite square grid, start with all cells OFF, so a(0) = 0. Turn a single cell to the ON state, so a(1) = 1. At each subsequent step, the neighbor cells of each cell of the old generation are turned ON, and the cells of the old generation are turned OFF. Here "neighbor" refers to the eight adjacent cells of each ON cell. See example. - Omar E. Pol, Feb 16 2014

Number of edges in the join of two complete graphs of order n^2 and n, K_n^2 * K_n. - Roberto E. Martinez II, Jan 07 2002

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^(-5)(P(4,1)-(-1)^k P(4,2k+1))|. - Peter Luschny, Jul 12 2009

Define an infinite symmetric array by T(n,m) = n*(n-1) + m for 0 <= m <= n and T(n,m) = T(m,n), n >= 0. Then a(n) is the sum of terms in the top left (n+1) X (n+1) subarray: a(n) = Sum_{r=0..n} Sum_{c=0..n} T(r,c). - J. M. Bergot, Jul 05 2013

a(n) is the sum of all positive numbers less than A002378(n). - J. M. Bergot, Aug 30 2013

Except the first term, these are triangular numbers that remain triangular when divided by their index, e.g., 66 divided by 11 gives 6. - Waldemar Puszkarz, Sep 14 2017

a(n) is the semiperimeter of the unique primitive Pythagorean triple such that (a-b+c)/2 = T(n) = A000217(n). Its long leg and hypotenuse are consecutive natural numbers and the triple is (2*T(n) - 1, 2*T(n)*(T(n) - 1), 2*T(n)*(T(n) - 1) + 1). - Miguel-Ángel Pérez García-Ortega, May 27 2025

Row sums have e.g.f. exp(x)*sech(x) (signed version of A009006). Inverse of masked Pascal triangle A119467. Transforms the sequence with e.g.f. g(x) to the sequence with e.g.f. g(x)*sech(x).

Coefficients of the Swiss-Knife polynomials for the computation of Euler, tangent and Bernoulli number (triangle read by rows). Another version in A153641. - Philippe Deléham, Oct 26 2013

Relations to Green functions and raising/creation and lowering/annihilation/destruction operators are presented in Hodges and Sukumar and in Copeland's discussion of this sequence and 2020 pdf. - Tom Copeland, Jul 24 2020

a(n) is (2n)! times the coefficient of x^(2n) in the Taylor series for cos(x)/cos(2x).