cp's OEIS Frontend

a(n) is the number of allowable transition rules for passing from one change to the next (on n-1 bells) in the English art of bell-ringing. This is also the number of involutions in the symmetric group S_{n-1} which can be represented as a product of transpositions of consecutive numbers from {1, 2, ..., n-1}. Thus for n = 6 we have a(6) from (12), (12)(34), (12)(45), (23), (23)(45), (34), (45), for instance. See my 1983 Math. Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc. paper. - Arthur T. White, letter to N. J. A. Sloane, Dec 18 1986

Number of permutations p of {1, 2, ..., n-1} such that max|p(i) - i| = 1. Example: a(4) = 2 since only the permutations 132 and 213 of {1, 2, 3} satisfy the given condition. - Emeric Deutsch, Jun 04 2003 [For a(5) = 4 we have 2143, 1324, 2134 and 1243. - Jon Perry, Sep 14 2013]

Number of 001-avoiding binary words of length n-3. a(n) is the number of partitions of {1, ..., n-1} into two blocks in which only 1- or 2-strings of consecutive integers can appear in a block and there is at least one 2-string. E.g., a(6) = 7 because the enumerated partitions of {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} are 124/35, 134/25, 14/235, 13/245, 1245/3, 145/23, 125/34. - Augustine O. Munagi, Apr 11 2005

Numbers for which only one Fibonacci bit-representation is possible and for which the maximal and minimal Fibonacci bit-representations (A104326 and A014417) are equal. For example, a(12) = 10101 because 8 + 3 + 1 = 12. - Casey Mongoven, Mar 19 2006

Beginning with a(2), the "Recamán transform" (see A005132) of the Fibonacci numbers (A000045). - Nick Hobson, Mar 01 2007

Starting with nonzero terms, a(n) gives the row sums of triangle A158950. - Gary W. Adamson, Mar 31 2009

a(n+2) is the minimum number of elements in an AVL tree of height n. - Lennert Buytenhek (buytenh(AT)wantstofly.org), May 31 2010

a(n) is the number of branch nodes in the Fibonacci tree of order n-1. A Fibonacci tree of order n (n >= 2) is a complete binary tree whose left subtree is the Fibonacci tree of order n-1 and whose right subtree is the Fibonacci tree of order n-2; each of the Fibonacci trees of order 0 and 1 is defined as a single node (see the Knuth reference, p. 417). - Emeric Deutsch, Jun 14 2010

a(n+3) is the number of distinct three-strand positive braids of length n (cf. Burckel). - Maxime Bourrigan, Apr 04 2011

a(n+1) is the number of compositions of n with maximal part 2. - Joerg Arndt, May 21 2013

a(n+2) is the number of leafs of great-grandparent DAG (directed acyclic graph) of height n. A great-grandparent DAG of height n is a single node for n = 1; for n > 1 each leaf of ggpDAG(n-1) has two child nodes where pairs of adjacent new nodes are merged into single node if and only if they have disjoint grandparents and same great-grandparent. Consequence: a(n) = 2*a(n-1) - a(n-3). - Hermann Stamm-Wilbrandt, Jul 06 2014

2 and 7 are the only prime numbers in this sequence. - Emmanuel Vantieghem, Oct 01 2014

From Russell Jay Hendel, Mar 15 2015: (Start)

We can establish Gerald McGarvey's conjecture mentioned in the Formula section, however we require n > 4. We need the following 4 prerequisites.

(1) a(n) = F(n) - 1, with {F(n)}A000045.%20(2)%20(Binet%20form)%20F(n)%20=%20(d%5En%20-%20e%5En)/sqrt(5)%20with%20d%20=%20phi%20and%20e%20=%201%20-%20phi,%20de%20=%20-1%20and%20d%20+%20e%20=%201.%20It%20follows%20that%20a(n)%20=%20(d(n)%20-%20e(n))/sqrt(5)%20-%201.%20(3)%20To%20prove%20floor(x)%20=%20y%20is%20equivalent%20to%20proving%20that%20x%20-%20y%20lies%20in%20the%20half-open%20interval%20%5B0,%201).%20(4)%20The%20series%20%7Bs(n)%20=%20c1%20x%5En%20+%20c2%7D">{n >= 1} the Fibonacci numbers A000045. (2) (Binet form) F(n) = (d^n - e^n)/sqrt(5) with d = phi and e = 1 - phi, de = -1 and d + e = 1. It follows that a(n) = (d(n) - e(n))/sqrt(5) - 1. (3) To prove floor(x) = y is equivalent to proving that x - y lies in the half-open interval [0, 1). (4) The series {s(n) = c1 x^n + c2}{n >= 1}, with -1 < x < 0, and c1 and c2 positive constants, converges by oscillation with s(1) < s(3) < s(5) < ... < s(6) < s(4) < s(2). If follows that for any odd n, the open interval (s(n), s(n+1)) contains the subsequence {s(t)}_{t >= n + 2}. Using these prerequisites we can analyze the conjecture.

Using prerequisites (2) and (3) we see we must prove, for all n > 4, that d((d^(n-1) - e^(n-1))/sqrt(5) - 1) - (d^n - e^n)/sqrt(5) + 1 + c lies in the interval [0, 1). But de = -1, implying de^(n-1) = -e^(n-2). It follows that we must equivalently prove (for all n > 4) that E(n, c) = (e^(n-2) + e^n)/sqrt(5) + 1 - d + c = e^(n-2) (e^2 + 1)/sqrt(5) + e + c lies in [0, 1). Clearly, for any particular n, E(n, c) has extrema (maxima, minima) when c = 2*(1-d) and c = (1+d)*(1-d). Therefore, the proof is completed by using prerequisite (4). It suffices to verify E(5, 2*(1-d)) = 0, E(6, 2*(1-d)) = 0.236068, E(5, (1-d)*(1+d)) = 0.618034, E(6, (1-d)*(1+d)) = 0.854102, all lie in [0, 1).

(End)

a(n) can be shown to be the number of distinct nonempty matchings on a path with n vertices. (A matching is a collection of disjoint edges.) - Andrew Penland, Feb 14 2017

Also, for n > 3, the lexicographically earliest sequence of positive integers such that {phi*a(n)} is located strictly between {phi*a(n-1)} and {phi*a(n-2)}. - Ivan Neretin, Mar 23 2017

From Eric M. Schmidt, Jul 17 2017: (Start)

Number of sequences (e(1), ..., e(n-2)), 0 <= e(i) < i, such that there is no triple i < j < k with e(i) != e(j) <= e(k). [Martinez and Savage, 2.5]

Number of sequences (e(1), ..., e(n-2)), 0 <= e(i) < i, such that there is no triple i < j < k with e(i) >= e(j) <= e(k) and e(i) != e(k). [Martinez and Savage, 2.5]

(End)

Numbers whose Zeckendorf (A014417) and dual Zeckendorf (A104326) representations are the same: alternating digits of 1 and 0. - Amiram Eldar, Nov 01 2019

a(n+2) is the length of the longest array whose local maximum element can be found in at most n reveals. See link to the puzzle by Alexander S. Kulikov. - Dmitry Kamenetsky, Aug 08 2020

a(n+2) is the number of nonempty subsets of {1,2,...,n} that contain no consecutive elements. For example, the a(6)=7 subsets of {1,2,3,4} are {1}, {2}, {3}, {4}, {1,3}, {1,4} and {2,4}. - Muge Olucoglu, Mar 21 2021

a(n+3) is the number of allowed patterns of length n in the even shift (that is, a(n+3) is the number of binary words of length n in which there are an even number of 0s between any two occurrences of 1). For example, a(7)=12 and the 12 allowed patterns of length 4 in the even shift are 0000, 0001, 0010, 0011, 0100, 0110, 0111, 1000, 1001, 1100, 1110, 1111. - Zoran Sunic, Apr 06 2022

Conjecture: for k a positive odd integer, the sequence {a(k^n): n >= 1} is a strong divisibility sequence; that is, for n, m >= 1, gcd(a(k^n), a(k^m)) = a(k^gcd(n,m)). - Peter Bala, Dec 05 2022

In general, the sum of a second-order linear recurrence having signature (c,d) will be a third-order recurrence having a signature (c+1,d-c,-d). - Gary Detlefs, Jan 05 2023

a(n) is the number of binary strings of length n-2 whose longest run of 1's is of length 1, for n >= 3. - Félix Balado, Apr 03 2025

Partial sums of A000244. Values of base 3 strings of 1's.

a(n) = (3^n-1)/2 is also the number of different nonparallel lines determined by pair of vertices in the n dimensional hypercube. Example: when n = 2 the square has 4 vertices and then the relevant lines are: x = 0, y = 0, x = 1, y = 1, y = x, y = 1-x and when we identify parallel lines only 4 remain: x = 0, y = 0, y = x, y = 1 - x so a(2) = 4. - Noam Katz (noamkj(AT)hotmail.com), Feb 11 2001

Also number of 3-block bicoverings of an n-set (if offset is 1, cf. A059443). - Vladeta Jovovic, Feb 14 2001

3^a(n) is the highest power of 3 dividing (3^n)!. - Benoit Cloitre, Feb 04 2002

Apart from the a(0) and a(1) terms, maximum number of coins among which a lighter or heavier counterfeit coin can be identified (but not necessarily labeled as heavier or lighter) by n weighings. - Tom Verhoeff, Jun 22 2002, updated Mar 23 2017

n such that A001764(n) is not divisible by 3. - Benoit Cloitre, Jan 14 2003

Consider the mapping f(a/b) = (a + 2b)/(2a + b). Taking a = 1, b = 2 to start with and carrying out this mapping repeatedly on each new (reduced) rational number gives the sequence 1/2, 4/5, 13/14, 40/41, ... converging to 1. Sequence contains the numerators = (3^n-1)/2. The same mapping for N, i.e., f(a/b) = (a + Nb)/(a+b) gives fractions converging to N^(1/2). - Amarnath Murthy, Mar 22 2003

Binomial transform of A000079 (with leading zero). - Paul Barry, Apr 11 2003

With leading zero, inverse binomial transform of A006095. - Paul Barry, Aug 19 2003

Number of walks of length 2*n + 2 in the path graph P_5 from one end to the other one. Example: a(2) = 4 because in the path ABCDE we have ABABCDE, ABCBCDE, ABCDCDE and ABCDEDE. - Emeric Deutsch, Apr 02 2004

The number of triangles of all sizes (not counting holes) in Sierpiński's triangle after n inscriptions. - Lee Reeves (leereeves(AT)fastmail.fm), May 10 2004

Number of (s(0), s(1), ..., s(2n+1)) such that 0 < s(i) < 6 and |s(i) - s(i-1)| = 1 for i = 1, 2, ..., 2*n + 1, s(0) = 1, s(2n+1) = 4. - Herbert Kociemba, Jun 10 2004

Number of non-degenerate right-angled incongruent integer-edged Heron triangles whose circumdiameter is the product of n distinct primes of shape 4k + 1. - Alex Fink and R. K. Guy, Aug 18 2005

Also numerator of the sum of the reciprocals of the first n powers of 3, with A000244 being the sequence of denominators. With the exception of n < 2, the base 10 digital root of a(n) is always 4. In base 3 the digital root of a(n) is the same as the digital root of n. - Alonso del Arte, Jan 24 2006

The sequence 3*a(n), n >= 1, gives the number of edges of the Hanoi graph H_3^{n} with 3 pegs and n >= 1 discs. - Daniele Parisse, Jul 28 2006

Numbers n such that a(n) is prime are listed in A028491 = {3, 7, 13, 71, 103, 541, 1091, ...}. 2^(m+1) divides a(2^m*k) for m > 0. 5 divides a(4k). 5^2 divides a(20k). 7 divides a(6k). 7^2 divides a(42k). 11^2 divides a(5k). 13 divides a(3k). 17 divides a(16k). 19 divides a(18k). 1093 divides a(7k). 41 divides a(8k). p divides a((p-1)/5) for prime p = {41, 431, 491, 661, 761, 1021, 1051, 1091, 1171, ...}. p divides a((p-1)/4) for prime p = {13, 109, 181, 193, 229, 277, 313, 421, 433, 541, ...}. p divides a((p-1)/3) for prime p = {61, 67, 73, 103, 151, 193, 271, 307, 367, ...} = A014753, 3 and -3 are both cubes (one implies other) mod these primes p = 1 mod 6. p divides a((p-1)/2) for prime p = {11, 13, 23, 37, 47, 59, 61, 71, 73, 83, 97, ...} = A097933(n). p divides a(p-1) for prime p > 7. p^2 divides a(p*(p-1)k) for all prime p except p = 3. p^3 divides a(p*(p-1)*(p-2)k) for prime p = 11. - Alexander Adamchuk, Jan 22 2007

Let P(A) be the power set of an n-element set A. Then a(n) = the number of [unordered] pairs of elements {x,y} of P(A) for which x and y are disjoint [and both nonempty]. Wieder calls these "disjoint usual 2-combinations". - Ross La Haye, Jan 10 2008 [This is because each of the elements of {1, 2, ..., n} can be in the first subset, in the second or in neither. Because there are three options for each, the total number of options is 3^n. However, since the sets being empty is not an option we subtract 1 and since the subsets are unordered we then divide by 2! (The number of ways two objects can be arranged.) Thus we obtain (3^n-1)/2 = a(n). - Chayim Lowen, Mar 03 2015]

Also, still with P(A) being the power set of a n-element set A, a(n) is the number of 2-element subsets {x,y} of P(A) such that the union of x and y is equal to A. Cf. A341590. - Fabio Visonà, Feb 20 2021

Starting with offset 1 = binomial transform of A003945: (1, 3, 6, 12, 24, ...) and double bt of (1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, ...); equals polcoeff inverse of (1, -4, 3, 0, 0, 0, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, May 28 2009

Also the constant of the polynomials C(x) = 3x + 1 that form a sequence by performing this operation repeatedly and taking the result at each step as the input at the next. - Nishant Shukla (n.shukla722(AT)gmail.com), Jul 11 2009

It appears that this is A120444(3^n-1) = A004125(3^n) - A004125(3^n-1), where A004125 is the sum of remainders of n mod k for k = 1, 2, 3, ..., n. - John W. Layman, Jul 29 2009

Subsequence of A134025; A171960(a(n)) = a(n). - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jan 20 2010

Let A be the Hessenberg matrix of order n, defined by: A[1,j] = 1, A[i, i] := 3, (i > 1), A[i, i-1] = -1, and A[i, j] = 0 otherwise. Then, for n >= 1, a(n) = det(A). - Milan Janjic, Jan 27 2010

This is the sequence A(0, 1; 2, 3; 2) = A(0, 1; 4, -3; 0) of the family of sequences [a, b:c, d:k] considered by Gary Detlefs, and treated as A(a, b; c, d; k) in the Wolfdieter Lang link given below. - Wolfdieter Lang, Oct 18 2010

It appears that if s(n) is a first order rational sequence of the form s(0) = 0, s(n) = (2*s(n-1)+1)/(s(n-1)+2), n > 0, then s(n)= a(n)/(a(n)+1). - Gary Detlefs, Nov 16 2010

This sequence also describes the total number of moves to solve the [RED ; BLUE ; BLUE] or [RED ; RED ; BLUE] pre-colored Magnetic Towers of Hanoi puzzle (cf. A183111 - A183125).

From Adi Dani, Jun 08 2011: (Start)

a(n) is number of compositions of odd numbers into n parts less than 3. For example, a(3) = 13 and there are 13 compositions odd numbers into 3 parts < 3:

1: (0, 0, 1), (0, 1, 0), (1, 0, 0);

3: (0, 1, 2), (0, 2, 1), (1, 0, 2), (1, 2, 0), (2, 0, 1), (2, 1, 0), (1, 1, 1);

5: (1, 2, 2), (2, 1, 2), (2, 2, 1).

(End)

Pisano period lengths: 1, 2, 1, 2, 4, 2, 6, 4, 1, 4, 5, 2, 3, 6, 4, 8, 16, 2, 18, 4, ... . - R. J. Mathar, Aug 10 2012

a(n) is the total number of holes (triangles removed) after the n-th step of a Sierpiński triangle production. - Ivan N. Ianakiev, Oct 29 2013

a(n) solves Sum_{j = a(n) + 1 .. a(n+1)} j = k^2 for some integer k, given a(0) = 0 and requiring smallest a(n+1) > a(n). Corresponding k = 3^n. - Richard R. Forberg, Mar 11 2015

a(n+1) equals the number of words of length n over {0, 1, 2, 3} avoiding 01, 02 and 03. - Milan Janjic, Dec 17 2015

For n >= 1, a(n) is also the total number of words of length n, over an alphabet of three letters, such that one of the letters appears an odd number of times (See A006516 for 4 letter words, and the Balakrishnan reference there). - Wolfdieter Lang, Jul 16 2017

Also, the number of maximal cliques, maximum cliques, and cliques of size 4 in the n-Apollonian network. - Andrew Howroyd, Sep 02 2017

For n > 1, the number of triangles (cliques of size 3) in the (n-1)-Apollonian network. - Andrew Howroyd, Sep 02 2017

a(n) is the largest number that can be represented with n trits in balanced ternary. Correspondingly, -a(n) is the smallest number that can be represented with n trits in balanced ternary. - Thomas König, Apr 26 2020

These form Sierpinski nesting-stars, which alternate pattern on 3^n+1/2 star numbers A003154, based on the square configurations of 9^n. The partial sums of 3^n are delineated according to the geometry of a hexagram, see illustrations in links. (3*a(n-1) + 1) create Sierpinski-anti-triangles, representing the number of holes in a (n+1) Sierpinski triangle (see illustrations). - John Elias, Oct 18 2021

For n > 1, a(n) is the number of iterations necessary to calculate the hyperbolic functions with CORDIC. - Mathias Zechmeister, Jul 26 2022

a(n) is the least number k such that A065363(k) = n. - Amiram Eldar, Sep 03 2022

For all n >= 0, Sum_{k=a(n)+1..a(n+1)} 1/k < Sum_{j=a(n+1)+1..a(n+2)} 1/j. These are the minimal points which partition the infinite harmonic series into a monotonically increasing sequence. Each partition approximates log(3) from below as n tends to infinity. - Joseph Wheat, Apr 15 2023

a(n) is also the number of 3-cycles in the n-Dorogovtsev-Goltsev-Mendes graph (using the convention the 0-Dorogovtsev-Goltsev-Mendes graph is P_2). - Eric W. Weisstein, Dec 06 2023

The hexagonal lattice is the familiar 2-dimensional lattice in which each point has 6 neighbors. This is sometimes called the triangular lattice.

Crystal ball sequence for A_2 lattice. - Michael Somos, Jun 03 2012

Sixth spoke of hexagonal spiral (cf. A056105-A056109).

Number of ordered integer triples (a,b,c), -n <= a,b,c <= n, such that a+b+c=0. - Benoit Cloitre, Jun 14 2003

Also the number of partitions of 6n into at most 3 parts, A001399(6n). - R. K. Guy, Oct 20 2003

Also, a(n) is the number of partitions of 6(n+1) into exactly 3 distinct parts. - William J. Keith, Jul 01 2004

Number of dots in a centered hexagonal figure with n+1 dots on each side.

Values of second Bessel polynomial y_2(n) (see A001498).

First differences of cubes (A000578). - Cecilia Rossiter (cecilia(AT)noticingnumbers.net), Dec 15 2004

Final digits of Hex numbers (hex(n) mod 10) are periodic with palindromic period of length 5 {1, 7, 9, 7, 1}. Last two digits of Hex numbers (hex(n) mod 100) are periodic with palindromic period of length 100. - Alexander Adamchuk, Aug 11 2006

All divisors of a(n) are congruent to 1, modulo 6. Proof: If p is an odd prime different from 3 then 3n^2 + 3n + 1 = 0 (mod p) implies 9(2n + 1)^2 = -3 (mod p), whence p = 1 (mod 6). - Nick Hobson, Nov 13 2006

For n>=1, a(n) is the side of Outer Napoleon Triangle whose reference triangle is a right triangle with legs (3a(n))^(1/2) and 3n(a(n))^(1/2). - Tom Schicker (tschicke(AT)email.smith.edu), Apr 25 2007

Number of triples (a,b,c) where 0<=(a,b)<=n and c=n (at least once the term n). E.g., for n = 1: (0,0,1), (0,1,0), (1,0,0), (0,1,1), (1,0,1), (1,1,0), (1,1,1), so a(1)=7. - Philippe Lallouet (philip.lallouet(AT)wanadoo.fr), Aug 20 2007

Equals the triangular numbers convolved with [1, 4, 1, 0, 0, 0, ...]. - Gary W. Adamson and Alexander R. Povolotsky, May 29 2009

From Terry Stickels, Dec 07 2009: (Start)

Also the maximum number of viewable cubes from any one static point while viewing a cube stack of identical cubes of varying magnitude.

For example, viewing a 2 X 2 X 2 stack will yield 7 maximum viewable cubes.

If the stack is 3 X 3 X 3, the maximum number of viewable cubes from any one static position is 19, and so on.

The number of cubes in the stack must always be the same number for width, length, height (at true regular cubic stack) and the maximum number of visible cubes can always be found by taking any cubic number and subtracting the number of the cube that is one less.

Examples: 125 - 64 = 61, 64 - 27 = 37, 27 - 8 = 19. (End)

The sequence of digital roots of the a(n) is period 3: repeat [1,7,1]. - Ant King, Jun 17 2012

The average of the first n (n>0) centered hexagonal numbers is the n-th square. - Philippe Deléham, Feb 04 2013

A002024 is the following array A read along antidiagonals:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ...

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, ...

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, ...

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, ...

5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, ...

6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, ...

and a(n) is the hook sum Sum_{k=0..n} A(n,k) + Sum_{r=0..n-1} A(r,n). - R. J. Mathar, Jun 30 2013

a(n) is the sum of the terms in the n+1 X n+1 matrices minus those in n X n matrices in an array formed by considering A158405 an array (the beginning terms in each row are 1,3,5,7,9,11,...). - J. M. Bergot, Jul 05 2013

The formula also equals the product of the three distinct combinations of two consecutive numbers: n^2, (n+1)^2, and n*(n+1). - J. M. Bergot, Mar 28 2014

The sides of any triangle ABC are divided into 2n + 1 equal segments by 2n points: A_1, A_2, ..., A_2n in side a, and also on the sides b and c cyclically. If A'B'C' is the triangle delimited by AA_n, BB_n and CC_n cevians, we have (ABC)/(A'B'C') = a(n) (see Java applet link). - Ignacio Larrosa Cañestro, Jan 02 2015

a(n) is the maximal number of parts into which (n+1) triangles can intersect one another. - Ivan N. Ianakiev, Feb 18 2015

((2^m-1)n)^t mod a(n) = ((2^m-1)(n+1))^t mod a(n) = ((2^m-1)(2n+1))^t mod a(n), where m any positive integer, and t = 0(mod 6). - Alzhekeyev Ascar M, Oct 07 2016

((2^m-1)n)^t mod a(n) = ((2^m-1)(n+1))^t mod a(n) = a(n) - (((2^m-1)(2n+1))^t mod a(n)), where m any positive integer, and t = 3(mod 6). - Alzhekeyev Ascar M, Oct 07 2016

(3n+1)^(a(n)-1) mod a(n) = (3n+2)^(a(n)-1) mod a(n) = 1. If a(n) not prime, then always strong pseudoprime. - Alzhekeyev Ascar M, Oct 07 2016

Every positive integer is the sum of 8 hex numbers (zero included), at most 3 of which are greater than 1. - Mauro Fiorentini, Jan 01 2018

Area enclosed by the segment of Archimedean spiral between n*Pi/2 and (n+1)*Pi/2 in Pi^3/48 units. - Carmine Suriano, Apr 10 2018

This sequence contains all numbers k such that 12*k - 3 is a square. - Klaus Purath, Oct 19 2021

The continued fraction expansion of sqrt(3*a(n)) is [3n+1; {1, 1, 2n, 1, 1, 6n+2}]. For n = 0, this collapses to [1; {1, 2}]. - Magus K. Chu, Sep 12 2022

Partial sums of A026741. - Jud McCranie; corrected by Omar E. Pol, Jul 05 2012

From R. K. Guy, Dec 28 2005: (Start)

"Conway's relation twixt the triangular and pentagonal numbers: Divide the triangular numbers by 3 (when you can exactly):

0 1 3 6 10 15 21 28 36 45 55 66 78 91 105 120 136 153 ...

0 - 1 2 .- .5 .7 .- 12 15 .- 22 26 .- .35 .40 .- ..51 ...

.....-.-.....+..+.....-..-.....+..+......-...-.......+....

"and you get the pentagonal numbers in pairs, one of positive rank and the other negative.

"Append signs according as the pair have the same (+) or opposite (-) parity.

"Then Euler's pentagonal number theorem is easy to remember:

"p(n-0) - p(n-1) - p(n-2) + p(n-5) + p(n-7) - p(n-12) - p(n-15) ++-- = 0^n

where p(n) is the partition function, the left side terminates before the argument becomes negative and 0^n = 1 if n = 0 and = 0 if n > 0.

"E.g. p(0) = 1, p(7) = p(7-1) + p(7-2) - p(7-5) - p(7-7) + 0^7 = 11 + 7 - 2 - 1 + 0 = 15."

(End)

The sequence may be used in order to compute sigma(n), as described in Euler's article. - Thomas Baruchel, Nov 19 2003

Number of levels in the partitions of n + 1 with parts in {1,2}.

a(n) is the number of 3 X 3 matrices (symmetrical about each diagonal) M = {{a, b, c}, {b, d, b}, {c, b, a}} such that a + b + c = b + d + b = n + 2, a,b,c,d natural numbers; example: a(3) = 5 because (a,b,c,d) = (2,2,1,1), (1,2,2,1), (1,1,3,3), (3,1,1,3), (2,1,2,3). - Philippe Deléham, Apr 11 2007

Also numbers a(n) such that 24*a(n) + 1 = (6*m - 1)^2 are odd squares: 1, 25, 49, 121, 169, 289, 361, ..., m = 0, +-1, +-2, ... . - Zak Seidov, Mar 08 2008

From Matthew Vandermast, Oct 28 2008: (Start)

Numbers n for which A000326(n) is a member of A000332. Cf. A145920.

This sequence contains all members of A000332 and all nonnegative members of A145919. For values of n such that n*(3*n - 1)/2 belongs to A000332, see A145919. (End)

Starting with offset 1 = row sums of triangle A168258. - Gary W. Adamson, Nov 21 2009

Starting with offset 1 = Triangle A101688 * [1, 2, 3, ...]. - Gary W. Adamson, Nov 27 2009

Starting with offset 1 can be considered the first in an infinite set generated from A026741. Refer to the array in A175005. - Gary W. Adamson, Apr 03 2010

Vertex number of a square spiral whose edges have length A026741. The two axes of the spiral forming an "X" are A000326 and A005449. The four semi-axes forming an "X" are A049452, A049453, A033570 and the numbers >= 2 of A033568. - Omar E. Pol, Sep 08 2011

A general formula for the generalized k-gonal numbers is given by n*((k - 2)*n - k + 4)/2, n=0, +-1, +-2, ..., k >= 5. - Omar E. Pol, Sep 15 2011

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

Generalized k-gonal numbers are second k-gonal numbers and positive terms of k-gonal numbers interleaved, k >= 5. - Omar E. Pol, Aug 04 2012

a(n) is the sum of the largest parts of the partitions of n+1 into exactly 2 parts. - Wesley Ivan Hurt, Jan 26 2013

Conway's relation mentioned by R. K. Guy is a relation between triangular numbers and generalized pentagonal numbers, two sequences from different families, but as triangular numbers are also generalized hexagonal numbers in this case we have a relation between two sequences from the same family. - Omar E. Pol, Feb 01 2013

Start with the sequence of all 0's. Add n to each value of a(n) and the next n - 1 terms. The result is the generalized pentagonal numbers. - Wesley Ivan Hurt, Nov 03 2014

(6k + 1) | a(4k). (3k + 1) | a(4k+1). (3k + 2) | a(4k+2). (6k + 5) | a(4k+3). - Jon Perry, Nov 04 2014

Enge, Hart and Johansson proved: "Every generalised pentagonal number c >= 5 is the sum of a smaller one and twice a smaller one, that is, there are generalised pentagonal numbers a, b < c such that c = 2a + b." (see link theorem 5). - Peter Luschny, Aug 26 2016

The Enge, et al. result for c >= 5 also holds for c >= 2 if 0 is included as a generalized pentagonal number. That is, 2 = 2*1 + 0. - Michael Somos, Jun 02 2018

Suggestion for title, where n actually matches the list and b-file: "Generalized pentagonal numbers: k(n)*(3*k(n) - 1)/2, where k(n) = A001057(n) = [0, 1, -1, 2, -2, 3, -3, ...], n >= 0" - Daniel Forgues, Jun 09 2018 & Jun 12 2018

Generalized k-gonal numbers are the partial sums of the sequence formed by the multiples of (k - 4) and the odd numbers (A005408) interleaved, with k >= 5. - Omar E. Pol, Jul 25 2018

The last digits form a symmetric cycle of length 40 [0, 1, 2, 5, ..., 5, 2, 1, 0], i.e., a(n) == a(n + 40) (mod 10) and a(n) == a(40*k - n - 1) (mod 10), 40*k > n. - Alejandro J. Becerra Jr., Aug 14 2018

Only 2, 5, and 7 are prime. All terms are of the form k*(k+1)/6, where 3 | k or 3 | k+1. For k > 6, the value divisible by 3 must have another factor d > 2, which will remain after the division by 6. - Eric Snyder, Jun 03 2022

8*a(n) is the product of two even numbers one of which is n + n mod 2. - Peter Luschny, Jul 15 2022

a(n) is the dot product of [1, 2, 3, ..., n] and repeat[1, 1/2]. a(5) = 12 = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] dot [1, 1/2, 1, 1/2, 1] = [1 + 1 + 3 + 2 + 5]. - Gary W. Adamson, Dec 10 2022

Every nonnegative number is the sum of four terms of this sequence [S. Realis]. - N. J. A. Sloane, May 07 2023

From Peter Bala, Jan 06 2025: (Start)

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

1) Product_{n >= 1} (1 - s(n)*q^n) = 1 + q + q^2 + q^5 + q^7 + q^12 + q^15 + ..., where s(n) = (-1)^(1 + mod(n+1,3)).

2) Product_{n >= 1} (1 - q^(2*n))*(1 - q^(3*n))^2/((1 - q^n)*(1 - q^(6*n))) = 1 + q + q^2 + q^5 + q^7 + q^12 + q^15 + ....

3) Product_{n >= 1} (1 - q^n)*(1 - q^(4*n))*(1 - q^(6*n))^5/((1 - q^(2*n))*(1 - q^(3*n))*(1 - q^(12*n)))^2 = 1 - q + q^2 - q^5 - q^7 + q^12 - q^15 + q^22 + q^26 - q^35 + ....

4) Product_{n >= 1} (1 - q^(2*n))^13/((1 - (-1)^n*q^n)*(1 - q^(4*n)))^5 = 1 - 5*q + 7*q^2 - 11*q^5 + 13*q^7 - 17*q^12 + 19*q^15 - + .... See Oliver, Theorem 1.1. (End)

For n >= 1, a(n) is the maximal number of pieces that can be obtained by cutting an annulus with n cuts. See illustration. - Robert G. Wilson v

n(n-3)/2 (n >= 3) is the number of diagonals of an n-gon. - Antreas P. Hatzipolakis (xpolakis(AT)otenet.gr)

n(n-3)/2 (n >= 4) is the degree of the third-smallest irreducible presentation of the symmetric group S_n (cf. James and Kerber, Appendix 1).

a(n) is also the multiplicity of the eigenvalue (-2) of the triangle graph Delta(n+1). (See p. 19 in Biggs.) - Felix Goldberg (felixg(AT)tx.technion.ac.il), Nov 25 2001

For n > 3, a(n-3) = dimension of the traveling salesman polytope T(n). - Benoit Cloitre, Aug 18 2002

Also counts quasi-dominoes (quasi-2-ominoes) on an n X n board. Cf. A094170-A094172. - Jon Wild, May 07 2004

Coefficient of x^2 in (1 + x + 2*x^2)^n. - Michael Somos, May 26 2004

a(n) is the number of "prime" n-dimensional polyominoes. A "prime" n-polyomino cannot be formed by connecting any other n-polyominoes except for the n-monomino and the n-monomino is not prime. E.g., for n=1, the 1-monomino is the line of length 1 and the only "prime" 1-polyominoes are the lines of length 2 and 3. This refers to "free" n-dimensional polyominoes, i.e., that can be rotated along any axis. - Bryan Jacobs (bryanjj(AT)gmail.com), Apr 01 2005

Solutions to the quadratic equation q(m, r) = (-3 +- sqrt(9 + 8(m - r))) / 2, where m - r is included in a(n). Let t(m) = the triangular number (A000217) less than some number k and r = k - t(m). If k is neither prime nor a power of two and m - r is included in A000096, then m - q(m, r) will produce a value that shares a divisor with k. - Andrew S. Plewe, Jun 18 2005

Sum_{k=2..n+1} 4/(k*(k+1)*(k-1)) = ((n+3)*n)/((n+2)*(n+1)). Numerator(Sum_{k=2..n+1} 4/(k*(k+1)*(k-1))) = (n+3)*n/2. - Alexander Adamchuk, Apr 11 2006

Number of rooted trees with n+3 nodes of valence 1, no nodes of valence 2 and exactly two other nodes. I.e., number of planted trees with n+2 leaves and exactly two branch points. - Theo Johnson-Freyd (theojf(AT)berkeley.edu), Jun 10 2007

If X is an n-set and Y a fixed 2-subset of X then a(n-2) is equal to the number of (n-2)-subsets of X intersecting Y. - Milan Janjic, Jul 30 2007

For n >= 1, a(n) is the number of distinct shuffles of the identity permutation on n+1 letters with the identity permutation on 2 letters (12). - Camillia Smith Barnes, Oct 04 2008

If s(n) is a sequence defined as s(1) = x, s(n) = kn + s(n-1) + p for n > 1, then s(n) = a(n-1)*k + (n-1)*p + x. - Gary Detlefs, Mar 04 2010

The only primes are a(1) = 2 and a(2) = 5. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jul 18 2011

a(n) = m such that the (m+1)-th triangular number minus the m-th triangular number is the (n+1)-th triangular number: (m+1)(m+2)/2 - m(m+1)/2 = (n+1)(n+2)/2. - Zak Seidov, Jan 22 2012

For n >= 1, number of different values that Sum_{k=1..n} c(k)*k can take where the c(k) are 0 or 1. - Joerg Arndt, Jun 24 2012

On an n X n chessboard (n >= 2), the number of possible checkmate positions in the case of king and rook versus a lone king is 0, 16, 40, 72, 112, 160, 216, 280, 352, ..., which is 8*a(n-2). For a 4 X 4 board the number is 40. The number of positions possible was counted including all mirror images and rotations for all four sides of the board. - Jose Abutal, Nov 19 2013

If k = a(i-1) or k = a(i+1) and n = k + a(i), then C(n, k-1), C(n, k), C(n, k+1) are three consecutive binomial coefficients in arithmetic progression and these are all the solutions. There are no four consecutive binomial coefficients in arithmetic progression. - Michael Somos, Nov 11 2015

a(n-1) is also the number of independent components of a symmetric traceless tensor of rank 2 and dimension n >= 1. - Wolfdieter Lang, Dec 10 2015

Numbers k such that 8k + 9 is a square. - Juri-Stepan Gerasimov, Apr 05 2016

Let phi_(D,rho) be the average value of a generic degree D monic polynomial f when evaluated at the roots of the rho-th derivative of f, expressed as a polynomial in the averaged symmetric polynomials in the roots of f. [See the Wojnar et al. link] The "last" term of phi_(D,rho) is a multiple of the product of all roots of f; the coefficient is expressible as a polynomial h_D(N) in N:=D-rho. These polynomials are of the form h_D(N)= ((-1)^D/(D-1)!)*(D-N)*N^chi*g_D(N) where chi = (1 if D is odd, 0 if D is even) and g_D(N) is a monic polynomial of degree (D-2-chi). Then a(n) are the negated coefficients of the next to the highest order term in the polynomials N^chi*g_D(N), starting at D=3. - Gregory Gerard Wojnar, Jul 19 2017

For n >= 2, a(n) is the number of summations required to solve the linear regression of n variables (n-1 independent variables and 1 dependent variable). - Felipe Pedraza-Oropeza, Dec 07 2017

For n >= 2, a(n) is the number of sums required to solve the linear regression of n variables: 5 for two variables (sums of X, Y, X^2, Y^2, X*Y), 9 for 3 variables (sums of X1, X2, Y1, X1^2, X1*X2, X1*Y, X2^2, X2*Y, Y^2), and so on. - Felipe Pedraza-Oropeza, Jan 11 2018

a(n) is the area of a triangle with vertices at (n, n+1), ((n+1)*(n+2)/2, (n+2)*(n+3)/2), ((n+2)^2, (n+3)^2). - J. M. Bergot, Jan 25 2018

Number of terms less than 10^k: 1, 4, 13, 44, 140, 446, 1413, 4471, 14141, 44720, 141420, 447213, ... - Muniru A Asiru, Jan 25 2018

a(n) is also the number of irredundant sets in the (n+1)-path complement graph for n > 2. - Eric W. Weisstein, Apr 11 2018

a(n) is also the largest number k such that the largest Dyck path of the symmetric representation of sigma(k) has exactly n peaks, n >= 1. (Cf. A237593.) - Omar E. Pol, Sep 04 2018

For n > 0, a(n) is the number of facets of associahedra. Cf. A033282 and A126216 and their refinements A111785 and A133437 for related combinatorial and analytic constructs. See p. 40 of Hanson and Sha for a relation to projective spaces and string theory. - Tom Copeland, Jan 03 2021

For n > 0, a(n) is the number of bipartite graphs with 2n or 2n+1 edges, no isolated vertices, and a stable set of cardinality 2. - Christian Barrientos, Jun 13 2022

For n >= 2, a(n-2) is the number of permutations in S_n which are the product of two different transpositions of adjacent points. - Zbigniew Wojciechowski, Mar 31 2023

a(n) represents the optimal stop-number to achieve the highest running score for the Greedy Pig game with an (n-1)-sided die with a loss on a 1. The total at which one should stop is a(s-1), e.g. for a 6-sided die, one should pass the die at 20. See Sparks and Haran. - Nicholas Stefan Georgescu, Jun 09 2024

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

Binomial transform of (0, 1, 5, 0, 0, 0, ...). Binomial transform is A084899. - Paul Barry, Jun 10 2003

Row sums of triangle A131413. - Gary W. Adamson, Jul 08 2007

Sequence starting (1, 7, 18, 34, ...) = binomial transform of (1, 6, 5, 0, 0, 0, ...). Also row sums of triangle A131896. - Gary W. Adamson, Jul 24 2007

Also the partial sums of A016861, a zero added in front; therefore a(n) = n (mod 5). - R. J. Mathar, Mar 19 2008

Also sequence found by reading the line from 0, in the direction 0, 7, ..., and the line from 1, in the direction 1, 18, ..., in the square spiral whose edges have length A195013 and whose vertices are the numbers A195014. These parallel lines are the semi-axes perpendicular to the main axis A195015 in the same spiral. - Omar E. Pol, Oct 14 2011

Also sequence found by reading the line from 0, in the direction 0, 7, ... and the parallel line from 1, in the direction 1, 18, ..., in the square spiral whose vertices are the generalized heptagonal numbers A085787. - Omar E. Pol, Jul 18 2012

Partial sums give A002413. - Omar E. Pol, Jan 12 2013

The n-th heptagonal number equals the sum of the n consecutive integers starting at 2*n-1; for example, 1, 3+4, 5+6+7, 7+8+9+10, etc. In general, the n-th (2k+1)-gonal number is the sum of the n consecutive integers starting at (k-1)*n - (k-2). When k = 1 and 2, this result generates the triangular numbers, A000217, and the pentagonal numbers, A000326, respectively. - Charlie Marion, Mar 02 2022

Number of compositions of n into parts congruent to 2 mod 3 (offset -1). - Vladeta Jovovic, Feb 09 2005

a(n) is the number of compositions of n into parts that are odd and >= 3. Example: a(10)=3 counts 3+7, 5+5, 7+3. - David Callan, Jul 14 2006

Referred to as N0102 in R. K. Guy's "Anyone for Twopins?" - Rainer Rosenthal, Dec 05 2006

Zagier conjectures that a(n+3) is the maximum number of multiple zeta values of weight n > 1 which are linearly independent over the rationals. - Jonathan Sondow and Sergey Zlobin (sirg_zlobin(AT)mail.ru), Dec 20 2006

Starting with offset 6: (1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...) = INVERT transform of A106510: (1, 1, -1, 0, 1, -1, 0, 1, -1, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, Oct 10 2008

Starting with offset 7, the sequence 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 16, 21, 28, ... is called the Fibonacci quilt sequence by Catral et al., in Fib. Q. 2017. - N. J. A. Sloane, Dec 24 2021

Triangle A145462: right border = A000931 starting with offset 6. Row sums = Padovan sequence starting with offset 7. - Gary W. Adamson, Oct 10 2008

Starting with offset 3 = row sums of triangle A146973 and INVERT transform of [1, -1, 2, -2, 3, -3, ...]. - Gary W. Adamson, Nov 03 2008

a(n+5) corresponds to the diagonal sums of "triangle": 1; 1; 1,1; 1,1; 1,2,1; 1,2,1; 1,3,3,1; 1,3,3,1; 1,4,6,4,1; ..., rows of Pascal's triangle (A007318) repeated. - Philippe Deléham, Dec 12 2008

With offset 3: (1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, ...) convolved with the tribonacci numbers prefaced with a "1": (1, 1, 1, 2, 4, 7, 13, ...) = the tribonacci numbers, A000073. (Cf. triangle A153462.) - Gary W. Adamson, Dec 27 2008

a(n) is also the number of strings of length (n-8) from an alphabet {A, B} with no more than one A or 2 B's consecutively. (E.g., n = 4: {ABAB,ABBA,BABA,BABB,BBAB} and a(4+8) = 5.) - Toby Gottfried, Mar 02 2010

p(n):=A000931(n+3), n >= 1, is the number of partitions of the numbers {1,2,3,...,n} into lists of length two or three containing neighboring numbers. The 'or' is inclusive. For n=0 one takes p(0)=1. For details see the W. Lang link. There the explicit formula for p(n) (analog of the Binet-de Moivre formula for Fibonacci numbers) is also given. Padovan sequences with different inputs are also considered there. - Wolfdieter Lang, Jun 15 2010

Equals the INVERTi transform of Fibonacci numbers prefaced with three 1's, i.e., (1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + x^4 + 2x^5 + 3x^6 + 5x^7 + 8x^8 + 13x^9 + ...). - Gary W. Adamson, Apr 01 2011

When run backwards gives (-1)^n*A050935(n).

a(n) is the top left entry of the n-th power of the 3 X 3 matrix [0, 0, 1; 1, 0, 1; 0, 1, 0] or of the 3 X 3 matrix [0, 1, 0; 0, 0, 1; 1, 1, 0]. - R. J. Mathar, Feb 03 2014

Figure 4 of Brauchart et al., 2014, shows a way to "visualize the Padovan sequence as cuboid spirals, where the dimensions of each cuboid made up by the previous ones are given by three consecutive numbers in the sequence". - N. J. A. Sloane, Mar 26 2014

a(n) is the number of closed walks from a vertex of a unidirectional triangle containing an opposing directed edge (arc) between the second and third vertices. Equivalently the (1,1) entry of A^n where the adjacency matrix of digraph is A=(0,1,0;0,0,1;1,1,0). - David Neil McGrath, Dec 19 2014

Number of compositions of n-3 (n >= 4) into 2's and 3's. Example: a(12)=5 because we have 333, 3222, 2322, 2232, and 2223. - Emeric Deutsch, Dec 28 2014

The Hoffman (2015) paper "offers significant evidence that the number of quantities needed to generate the weight-n multiple harmonic sums mod p is" a(n). - N. J. A. Sloane, Jun 24 2016

a(n) gives the number of compositions of n-5 into odd parts where the order of the 1's does not matter. For example, a(11)=4 counts the following compositions of 6: (5,1)=(1,5), (3,3), (3,1,1,1)=(1,3,1,1)=(1,1,3,1)=(1,1,1,3), (1,1,1,1,1,1). - Gregory L. Simay, Aug 04 2016

For n > 6, a(n) is the number of maximal matchings in the (n-5)-path graph, maximal independent vertex sets and minimal vertex covers in the (n-6)-path graph, and minimal edge covers in the (n-5)-pan graph and (n-3)-path graphs. - Eric W. Weisstein, Mar 30, Aug 03, and Aug 07 2017

From James Mitchell and Wilf A. Wilson, Jul 21 2017: (Start)

a(2n + 5) + 2n - 4, n > 2, is the number of maximal subsemigroups of the monoid of order-preserving mappings on a set with n elements.

a(n + 6) + n - 3, n > 3, is the number of maximal subsemigroups of the monoid of order-preserving or reversing mappings on a set with n elements.

(End)

Has the property that the largest of any four consecutive terms equals the sum of the two smallest. - N. J. A. Sloane, Aug 29 2017 [David Nacin points out that there are many sequences with this property, such as 1,1,1,2,1,1,1,2,1,1,1,2,... or 2,3,4,5,2,3,4,5,2,3,4,5,... or 2,2,1,3,3, 4,1,4, 5,5,1,6,6, 7,1,7, 8,8,1,9,9, 10,1,10, ... (spaces added for clarity), and a conjecture I made here in 2017 was simply wrong. I have deleted it. - N. J. A. Sloane, Oct 23 2018]

a(n) is also the number of maximal cliques in the (n+6)-path complement graph. - Eric W. Weisstein, Apr 12 2018

a(n+8) is the number of solus bitstrings of length n with no runs of 3 zeros. - Steven Finch, Mar 25 2020

Named after the architect Richard Padovan (b. 1935). - Amiram Eldar, Jun 08 2021

Shannon et al. (2006) credit a French architecture student Gérard Cordonnier with the discovery of these numbers.

For n >= 3, a(n) is the number of sequences of 0s and 1s of length (n-2) that begin with a 0, end with a 0, contain no two consecutive 0s, and contain no three consecutive 1s. - Yifan Xie, Oct 20 2022

For n >= 2, a(n+5) is the number of ways to tile the 1xn board with dominoes and squares (ie. size 1x1) such that are either none or one squares between dominoes, none or one squares at both ends of the board, and there is at least one domino. For example, for n=6, a(11)=4 since the tilings are |2|2, |22|, 2|2| and 222 (where 2 represents a domino and | a square). - Enrique Navarrete, Aug 31 2024

If b > 1 is a binary palindrome then both (2^(m+1) + 1)*b and 2^(m+1) + 2^m - b are also, where m = floor(log_2(b)). - Hieronymus Fischer, Feb 18 2012

Floor and ceiling: If d > 0 is any natural number, then A206913(d) is the greatest binary palindrome <= d and A206914(d) is the least binary palindrome >= d. - Hieronymus Fischer, Feb 18 2012

The greatest binary palindrome <= the n-th non-binary-palindrome is that binary palindrome with number A154809(n)-n+1. The corresponding formula identity is: A206913(A154809(n)) = A006995(A154809(n)-n+1). - Hieronymus Fischer, Mar 18 2012

From Hieronymus Fischer, Jan 23 2013: (Start)

The number of binary digits of a(n) is A070939(a(n)) = 1 + floor(log_2(n)) + floor(log_2(n/3)), for n > 1.

Also: A070939(a(n)) = A070939(n) + A070939(floor(n/3)) - 1, for n <> 2. (End)

Rajasekaran, Shallit, & Smith show that this is an additive basis of order 4. - Charles R Greathouse IV, Nov 06 2018

The 3x+1 or Collatz problem is as follows: start with any number n. If n is even, divide it by 2, otherwise multiply it by 3 and add 1. Do we always reach 1? This is an unsolved problem. It is conjectured that the answer is yes.

The Krasikov-Lagarias paper shows that at least N^0.84 of the positive numbers < N fall into the 4-2-1 cycle of the 3x+1 problem. This is far short of what we think is true, that all positive numbers fall into this cycle, but it is a step. - Richard C. Schroeppel, May 01 2002

Also A001477 and A016957 interleaved. - Omar E. Pol, Jan 16 2014, updated Nov 07 2017

a(n) is the image of a(2*n) under the 3*x+1 map. - L. Edson Jeffery, Aug 17 2014

The positions of powers of 2 in this sequence are given in A160967. - Federico Provvedi, Oct 06 2021

If displayed as a rectangular array with six columns, the columns are A008585, A350521, A016777, A082286, A016789, A350522 (see example). - Omar E. Pol, Jan 03 2022