cp's OEIS Frontend

A005867 can be generated recursively using A006093 and A000165 can be generated recursively using the even numbers. Since all primes after 2 are odd, (A005867 - A000165)/96 is an integer.

Row sums are:

{1, 2, 8, 48, 384, 3840, 46080, 645120, 10321920, 185794560, 3715891200,...}

The earliest publication that discusses this sequence appears to be the Sepher Yezirah [Book of Creation], circa AD 300. (See Knuth, also the Zeilberger link.) - N. J. A. Sloane, Apr 07 2014

For n >= 1, a(n) is the number of n X n (0,1) matrices with each row and column containing exactly one entry equal to 1.

This sequence is the BinomialMean transform of A000354. (See A075271 for definition.) - John W. Layman, Sep 12 2002 [This is easily verified from the Paul Barry formula for A000354, by interchanging summations and using the formula: Sum_k (-1)^k C(n-i, k) = KroneckerDelta(i,n). - David Callan, Aug 31 2003]

Number of distinct subsets of T(n-1) elements with 1 element A, 2 elements B, ..., n - 1 elements X (e.g., at n = 5, we consider the distinct subsets of ABBCCCDDDD and there are 5! = 120). - Jon Perry, Jun 12 2003

n! is the smallest number with that prime signature. E.g., 720 = 2^4 * 3^2 * 5. - Amarnath Murthy, Jul 01 2003

a(n) is the permanent of the n X n matrix M with M(i, j) = 1. - Philippe Deléham, Dec 15 2003

Given n objects of distinct sizes (e.g., areas, volumes) such that each object is sufficiently large to simultaneously contain all previous objects, then n! is the total number of essentially different arrangements using all n objects. Arbitrary levels of nesting of objects are permitted within arrangements. (This application of the sequence was inspired by considering leftover moving boxes.) If the restriction exists that each object is able or permitted to contain at most one smaller (but possibly nested) object at a time, the resulting sequence begins 1,2,5,15,52 (Bell Numbers?). Sets of nested wooden boxes or traditional nested Russian dolls come to mind here. - Rick L. Shepherd, Jan 14 2004

From Michael Somos, Mar 04 2004; edited by M. F. Hasler, Jan 02 2015: (Start)

Stirling transform of [2, 2, 6, 24, 120, ...] is A052856 = [2, 2, 4, 14, 76, ...].

Stirling transform of [1, 2, 6, 24, 120, ...] is A000670 = [1, 3, 13, 75, ...].

Stirling transform of [0, 2, 6, 24, 120, ...] is A052875 = [0, 2, 12, 74, ...].

Stirling transform of [1, 1, 2, 6, 24, 120, ...] is A000629 = [1, 2, 6, 26, ...].

Stirling transform of [0, 1, 2, 6, 24, 120, ...] is A002050 = [0, 1, 5, 25, 140, ...].

Stirling transform of (A165326*A089064)(1...) = [1, 0, 1, -1, 8, -26, 194, ...] is [1, 1, 2, 6, 24, 120, ...] (this sequence). (End)

First Eulerian transform of 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1... The first Eulerian transform transforms a sequence s to a sequence t by the formula t(n) = Sum_{k=0..n} e(n, k)s(k), where e(n, k) is a first-order Eulerian number [A008292]. - Ross La Haye, Feb 13 2005

Conjecturally, 1, 6, and 120 are the only numbers which are both triangular and factorial. - Christopher M. Tomaszewski (cmt1288(AT)comcast.net), Mar 30 2005

n! is the n-th finite difference of consecutive n-th powers. E.g., for n = 3, [0, 1, 8, 27, 64, ...] -> [1, 7, 19, 37, ...] -> [6, 12, 18, ...] -> [6, 6, ...]. - Bryan Jacobs (bryanjj(AT)gmail.com), Mar 31 2005

a(n+1) = (n+1)! = 1, 2, 6, ... has e.g.f. 1/(1-x)^2. - Paul Barry, Apr 22 2005

Write numbers 1 to n on a circle. Then a(n) = sum of the products of all n - 2 adjacent numbers. E.g., a(5) = 1*2*3 + 2*3*4 + 3*4*5 + 4*5*1 +5*1*2 = 120. - Amarnath Murthy, Jul 10 2005

The number of chains of maximal length in the power set of {1, 2, ..., n} ordered by the subset relation. - Rick L. Shepherd, Feb 05 2006

The number of circular permutations of n letters for n >= 0 is 1, 1, 1, 2, 6, 24, 120, 720, 5040, 40320, ... - Xavier Noria (fxn(AT)hashref.com), Jun 04 2006

a(n) is the number of deco polyominoes of height n (n >= 1; see definitions in the Barcucci et al. references). - Emeric Deutsch, Aug 07 2006

a(n) is the number of partition tableaux of size n. See Steingrimsson/Williams link for the definition. - David Callan, Oct 06 2006

Consider the n! permutations of the integer sequence [n] = 1, 2, ..., n. The i-th permutation consists of ncycle(i) permutation cycles. Then, if the Sum_{i=1..n!} 2^ncycle(i) runs from 1 to n!, we have Sum_{i=1..n!} 2^ncycle(i) = (n+1)!. E.g., for n = 3 we have ncycle(1) = 3, ncycle(2) = 2, ncycle(3) = 1, ncycle(4) = 2, ncycle(5) = 1, ncycle(6) = 2 and 2^3 + 2^2 + 2^1 + 2^2 + 2^1 + 2^2 = 8 + 4 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 4 = 24 = (n+1)!. - Thomas Wieder, Oct 11 2006

a(n) is the number of set partitions of {1, 2, ..., 2n - 1, 2n} into blocks of size 2 (perfect matchings) in which each block consists of one even and one odd integer. For example, a(3) = 6 counts 12-34-56, 12-36-45, 14-23-56, 14-25-36, 16-23-45, 16-25-34. - David Callan, Mar 30 2007

Consider the multiset M = [1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, ...] = [1, 2, 2, ..., n x 'n'] and form the set U (where U is a set in the strict sense) of all subsets N (where N may be a multiset again) of M. Then the number of elements |U| of U is equal to (n+1)!. E.g. for M = [1, 2, 2] we get U = [[], [2], [2, 2], [1], [1, 2], [1, 2, 2]] and |U| = 3! = 6. This observation is a more formal version of the comment given already by Rick L. Shepherd, Jan 14 2004. - Thomas Wieder, Nov 27 2007

For n >= 1, a(n) = 1, 2, 6, 24, ... are the positions corresponding to the 1's in decimal expansion of Liouville's constant (A012245). - Paul Muljadi, Apr 15 2008

Triangle A144107 has n! for row sums (given n > 0) with right border n! and left border A003319, the INVERTi transform of (1, 2, 6, 24, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, Sep 11 2008

Equals INVERT transform of A052186 and row sums of triangle A144108. - Gary W. Adamson, Sep 11 2008

From Abdullahi Umar, Oct 12 2008: (Start)

a(n) is also the number of order-decreasing full transformations (of an n-chain).

a(n-1) is also the number of nilpotent order-decreasing full transformations (of an n-chain). (End)

n! is also the number of optimal broadcast schemes in the complete graph K_{n}, equivalent to the number of binomial trees embedded in K_{n} (see Calin D. Morosan, Information Processing Letters, 100 (2006), 188-193). - Calin D. Morosan (cd_moros(AT)alumni.concordia.ca), Nov 28 2008

Let S_{n} denote the n-star graph. The S_{n} structure consists of n S_{n-1} structures. This sequence gives the number of edges between the vertices of any two specified S_{n+1} structures in S_{n+2} (n >= 1). - K.V.Iyer, Mar 18 2009

Chromatic invariant of the sun graph S_{n-2}.

It appears that a(n+1) is the inverse binomial transform of A000255. - Timothy Hopper, Aug 20 2009

a(n) is also the determinant of a square matrix, An, whose coefficients are the reciprocals of beta function: a{i, j} = 1/beta(i, j), det(An) = n!. - Enrique Pérez Herrero, Sep 21 2009

The asymptotic expansions of the exponential integrals E(x, m = 1, n = 1) ~ exp(-x)/x*(1 - 1/x + 2/x^2 - 6/x^3 + 24/x^4 + ...) and E(x, m = 1, n = 2) ~ exp(-x)/x*(1 - 2/x + 6/x^2 - 24/x^3 + ...) lead to the factorial numbers. See A163931 and A130534 for more information. - Johannes W. Meijer, Oct 20 2009

Satisfies A(x)/A(x^2), A(x) = A173280. - Gary W. Adamson, Feb 14 2010

a(n) = G^n where G is the geometric mean of the first n positive integers. - Jaroslav Krizek, May 28 2010

Increasing colored 1-2 trees with choice of two colors for the rightmost branch of nonleaves. - Wenjin Woan, May 23 2011

Number of necklaces with n labeled beads of 1 color. - Robert G. Wilson v, Sep 22 2011

The sequence 1!, (2!)!, ((3!)!)!, (((4!)!)!)!, ..., ((...(n!)!)...)! (n times) grows too rapidly to have its own entry. See Hofstadter.

The e.g.f. of 1/a(n) = 1/n! is BesselI(0, 2*sqrt(x)). See Abramowitz-Stegun, p. 375, 9.3.10. - Wolfdieter Lang, Jan 09 2012

a(n) is the length of the n-th row which is the sum of n-th row in triangle A170942. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Mar 29 2012

Number of permutations of elements 1, 2, ..., n + 1 with a fixed element belonging to a cycle of length r does not depend on r and equals a(n). - Vladimir Shevelev, May 12 2012

a(n) is the number of fixed points in all permutations of 1, ..., n: in all n! permutations, 1 is first exactly (n-1)! times, 2 is second exactly (n-1)! times, etc., giving (n-1)!*n = n!. - Jon Perry, Dec 20 2012

For n >= 1, a(n-1) is the binomial transform of A000757. See Moreno-Rivera. - Luis Manuel Rivera Martínez, Dec 09 2013

Each term is divisible by its digital root (A010888). - Ivan N. Ianakiev, Apr 14 2014

For m >= 3, a(m-2) is the number hp(m) of acyclic Hamiltonian paths in a simple graph with m vertices, which is complete except for one missing edge. For m < 3, hp(m)=0. - Stanislav Sykora, Jun 17 2014

a(n) is the number of increasing forests with n nodes. - Brad R. Jones, Dec 01 2014

The factorial numbers can be calculated by means of the recurrence n! = (floor(n/2)!)^2 * sf(n) where sf(n) are the swinging factorials A056040. This leads to an efficient algorithm if sf(n) is computed via prime factorization. For an exposition of this algorithm see the link below. - Peter Luschny, Nov 05 2016

Treeshelves are ordered (plane) binary (0-1-2) increasing trees where the nodes of outdegree 1 come in 2 colors. There are n! treeshelves of size n, and classical Françon's bijection maps bijectively treeshelves into permutations. - Sergey Kirgizov, Dec 26 2016

Satisfies Benford's law [Diaconis, 1977; Berger-Hill, 2017] - N. J. A. Sloane, Feb 07 2017

a(n) = Sum((d_p)^2), where d_p is the number of standard tableaux in the Ferrers board of the integer partition p and summation is over all integer partitions p of n. Example: a(3) = 6. Indeed, the partitions of 3 are [3], [2,1], and [1,1,1], having 1, 2, and 1 standard tableaux, respectively; we have 1^2 + 2^2 + 1^2 = 6. - Emeric Deutsch, Aug 07 2017

a(n) is the n-th derivative of x^n. - Iain Fox, Nov 19 2017

a(n) is the number of maximum chains in the n-dimensional Boolean cube {0,1}^n in respect to the relation "precedes". It is defined as follows: for arbitrary vectors u, v of {0,1}^n, such that u = (u_1, u_2, ..., u_n) and v = (v_1, v_2, ..., v_n), "u precedes v" if u_i <= v_i, for i=1, 2, ..., n. - Valentin Bakoev, Nov 20 2017

a(n) is the number of shortest paths (for example, obtained by Breadth First Search) between the nodes (0,0,...,0) (i.e., the all-zeros vector) and (1,1,...,1) (i.e., the all-ones vector) in the graph H_n, corresponding to the n-dimensional Boolean cube {0,1}^n. The graph is defined as H_n = (V_n, E_n), where V_n is the set of all vectors of {0,1}^n, and E_n contains edges formed by each pair adjacent vectors. - Valentin Bakoev, Nov 20 2017

a(n) is also the determinant of the symmetric n X n matrix M defined by M(i,j) = sigma(gcd(i,j)) for 1 <= i,j <= n. - Bernard Schott, Dec 05 2018

a(n) is also the number of inversion sequences of length n. A length n inversion sequence e_1, e_2, ..., e_n is a sequence of n integers such that 0 <= e_i < i. - Juan S. Auli, Oct 14 2019

The term "factorial" ("factorielle" in French) was coined by the French mathematician Louis François Antoine Arbogast (1759-1803) in 1800. The notation "!" was first used by the French mathematician Christian Kramp (1760-1826) in 1808. - Amiram Eldar, Apr 16 2021

Also the number of signotopes of rank 2, i.e., mappings X:{{1..n} choose 2}->{+,-} such that for any three indices a < b < c, the sequence X(a,b), X(a,c), X(b,c) changes its sign at most once (see Felsner-Weil reference). - Manfred Scheucher, Feb 09 2022

a(n) is also the number of labeled commutative semisimple rings with n elements. As an example the only commutative semisimple rings with 4 elements are F_4 and F_2 X F_2. They both have exactly 2 automorphisms, hence a(4)=24/2+24/2=24. - Paul Laubie, Mar 05 2024

a(n) is the number of extremely unlucky Stirling permutations of order n+1; i.e., the number of Stirling permutations of order n+1 that have exactly one lucky car. - Bridget Tenner, Apr 09 2024

The solution to Schröder's third problem.

Number of fixed-point-free involutions in symmetric group S_{2n} (cf. A000085).

a(n-2) is the number of full Steiner topologies on n points with n-2 Steiner points. [corrected by Lyle Ramshaw, Jul 20 2022]

a(n) is also the number of perfect matchings in the complete graph K(2n). - Ola Veshta (olaveshta(AT)my-deja.com), Mar 25 2001

Number of ways to choose n disjoint pairs of items from 2*n items. - Ron Zeno (rzeno(AT)hotmail.com), Feb 06 2002

Number of ways to choose n-1 disjoint pairs of items from 2*n-1 items (one item remains unpaired). - Bartosz Zoltak, Oct 16 2012

For n >= 1 a(n) is the number of permutations in the symmetric group S_(2n) whose cycle decomposition is a product of n disjoint transpositions. - Ahmed Fares (ahmedfares(AT)my-deja.com), Apr 21 2001

a(n) is the number of distinct products of n+1 variables with commutative, nonassociative multiplication. - Andrew Walters (awalters3(AT)yahoo.com), Jan 17 2004. For example, a(3)=15 because the product of the four variables w, x, y and z can be constructed in exactly 15 ways, assuming commutativity but not associativity: 1. w(x(yz)) 2. w(y(xz)) 3. w(z(xy)) 4. x(w(yz)) 5. x(y(wz)) 6. x(z(wy)) 7. y(w(xz)) 8. y(x(wz)) 9. y(z(wx)) 10. z(w(xy)) 11. z(x(wy)) 12. z(y(wx)) 13. (wx)(yz) 14. (wy)(xz) 15. (wz)(xy).

a(n) = E(X^(2n)), where X is a standard normal random variable (i.e., X is normal with mean = 0, variance = 1). So for instance a(3) = E(X^6) = 15, etc. See Abramowitz and Stegun or Hoel, Port and Stone. - Jerome Coleman, Apr 06 2004

Second Eulerian transform of 1,1,1,1,1,1,... The second Eulerian transform transforms a sequence s to a sequence t by the formula t(n) = Sum_{k=0..n} E(n,k)s(k), where E(n,k) is a second-order Eulerian number (A008517). - Ross La Haye, Feb 13 2005

Integral representation as n-th moment of a positive function on the positive axis: a(n) = Integral_{x=0..oo} x^n*exp(-x/2)/sqrt(2*Pi*x) dx, n >= 0. - Karol A. Penson, Oct 10 2005

a(n) is the number of binary total partitions of n+1 (each non-singleton block must be partitioned into exactly two blocks) or, equivalently, the number of unordered full binary trees with n+1 labeled leaves (Stanley, ex 5.2.6). - Mitch Harris, Aug 01 2006

a(n) is the Pfaffian of the skew-symmetric 2n X 2n matrix whose (i,j) entry is i for iDavid Callan, Sep 25 2006

a(n) is the number of increasing ordered rooted trees on n+1 vertices where "increasing" means the vertices are labeled 0,1,2,...,n so that each path from the root has increasing labels. Increasing unordered rooted trees are counted by the factorial numbers A000142. - David Callan, Oct 26 2006

Number of perfect multi Skolem-type sequences of order n. - Emeric Deutsch, Nov 24 2006

a(n) = total weight of all Dyck n-paths (A000108) when each path is weighted with the product of the heights of the terminal points of its upsteps. For example with n=3, the 5 Dyck 3-paths UUUDDD, UUDUDD, UUDDUD, UDUUDD, UDUDUD have weights 1*2*3=6, 1*2*2=4, 1*2*1=2, 1*1*2=2, 1*1*1=1 respectively and 6+4+2+2+1=15. Counting weights by height of last upstep yields A102625. - David Callan, Dec 29 2006

a(n) is the number of increasing ternary trees on n vertices. Increasing binary trees are counted by ordinary factorials (A000142) and increasing quaternary trees by triple factorials (A007559). - David Callan, Mar 30 2007

From Tom Copeland, Nov 13 2007, clarified in first and extended in second paragraph, Jun 12 2021: (Start)

a(n) has the e.g.f. (1-2x)^(-1/2) = 1 + x + 3*x^2/2! + ..., whose reciprocal is (1-2x)^(1/2) = 1 - x - x^2/2! - 3*x^3/3! - ... = b(0) - b(1)*x - b(2)*x^2/2! - ... with b(0) = 1 and b(n+1) = -a(n) otherwise. By the formalism of A133314, Sum_{k=0..n} binomial(n,k)*b(k)*a(n-k) = 0^n where 0^0 := 1. In this sense, the sequence a(n) is essentially self-inverse. See A132382 for an extension of this result. See A094638 for interpretations.

This sequence aerated has the e.g.f. e^(t^2/2) = 1 + t^2/2! + 3*t^4/4! + ... = c(0) + c(1)*t + c(2)*t^2/2! + ... and the reciprocal e^(-t^2/2); therefore, Sum_{k=0..n} cos(Pi k/2)*binomial(n,k)*c(k)*c(n-k) = 0^n; i.e., the aerated sequence is essentially self-inverse. Consequently, Sum_{k=0..n} (-1)^k*binomial(2n,2k)*a(k)*a(n-k) = 0^n. (End)

From Ross Drewe, Mar 16 2008: (Start)

This is also the number of ways of arranging the elements of n distinct pairs, assuming the order of elements is significant but the pairs are not distinguishable, i.e., arrangements which are the same after permutations of the labels are equivalent.

If this sequence and A000680 are denoted by a(n) and b(n) respectively, then a(n) = b(n)/n! where n! = the number of ways of permuting the pair labels.

For example, there are 90 ways of arranging the elements of 3 pairs [1 1], [2 2], [3 3] when the pairs are distinguishable: A = { [112233], [112323], ..., [332211] }.

By applying the 6 relabeling permutations to A, we can partition A into 90/6 = 15 subsets: B = { {[112233], [113322], [221133], [223311], [331122], [332211]}, {[112323], [113232], [221313], [223131], [331212], [332121]}, ....}

Each subset or equivalence class in B represents a unique pattern of pair relationships. For example, subset B1 above represents {3 disjoint pairs} and subset B2 represents {1 disjoint pair + 2 interleaved pairs}, with the order being significant (contrast A132101). (End)

A139541(n) = a(n) * a(2*n). - Reinhard Zumkeller, Apr 25 2008

a(n+1) = Sum_{j=0..n} A074060(n,j) * 2^j. - Tom Copeland, Sep 01 2008

From Emeric Deutsch, Jun 05 2009: (Start)

a(n) is the number of adjacent transpositions in all fixed-point-free involutions of {1,2,...,2n}. Example: a(2)=3 because in 2143=(12)(34), 3412=(13)(24), and 4321=(14)(23) we have 2 + 0 + 1 adjacent transpositions.

a(n) = Sum_{k>=0} k*A079267(n,k).

(End)

Hankel transform is A137592. - Paul Barry, Sep 18 2009

(1, 3, 15, 105, ...) = INVERT transform of A000698 starting (1, 2, 10, 74, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, Oct 21 2009

a(n) = (-1)^(n+1)*H(2*n,0), where H(n,x) is the probabilists' Hermite polynomial. The generating function for the probabilists' Hermite polynomials is as follows: exp(x*t-t^2/2) = Sum_{i>=0} H(i,x)*t^i/i!. - Leonid Bedratyuk, Oct 31 2009

The Hankel transform of a(n+1) is A168467. - Paul Barry, Dec 04 2009

Partial products of odd numbers. - Juri-Stepan Gerasimov, Oct 17 2010

See A094638 for connections to differential operators. - Tom Copeland, Sep 20 2011

a(n) is the number of subsets of {1,...,n^2} that contain exactly k elements from {1,...,k^2} for k=1,...,n. For example, a(3)=15 since there are 15 subsets of {1,2,...,9} that satisfy the conditions, namely, {1,2,5}, {1,2,6}, {1,2,7}, {1,2,8}, {1,2,9}, {1,3,5}, {1,3,6}, {1,3,7}, {1,3,8}, {1,3,9}, {1,4,5}, {1,4,6}, {1,4,7}, {1,4,8}, and {1,4,9}. - Dennis P. Walsh, Dec 02 2011

a(n) is the leading coefficient of the Bessel polynomial y_n(x) (cf. A001498). - Leonid Bedratyuk, Jun 01 2012

For n>0: a(n) is also the determinant of the symmetric n X n matrix M defined by M(i,j) = min(i,j)^2 for 1 <= i,j <= n. - Enrique Pérez Herrero, Jan 14 2013

a(n) is also the numerator of the mean value from 0 to Pi/2 of sin(x)^(2n). - Jean-François Alcover, Jun 13 2013

a(n) is the size of the Brauer monoid on 2n points (see A227545). - James Mitchell, Jul 28 2013

For n>1: a(n) is the numerator of M(n)/M(1) where the numbers M(i) have the property that M(n+1)/M(n) ~ n-1/2 (for example, large Kendell-Mann numbers, see A000140 or A181609, as n --> infinity). - Mikhail Gaichenkov, Jan 14 2014

a(n) = the number of upper-triangular matrix representations required for the symbolic representation of a first order central moment of the multivariate normal distribution of dimension 2(n-1), i.e., E[X_1*X_2...*X_(2n-2)|mu=0, Sigma]. See vignette for symmoments R package on CRAN and Phillips reference below. - Kem Phillips, Aug 10 2014

For n>1: a(n) is the number of Feynman diagrams of order 2n (number of internal vertices) for the vacuum polarization with one charged loop only, in quantum electrodynamics. - Robert Coquereaux, Sep 15 2014

Aerated with intervening zeros (1,0,1,0,3,...) = a(n) (cf. A123023), the e.g.f. is e^(t^2/2), so this is the base for the Appell sequence A099174 with e.g.f. e^(t^2/2) e^(x*t) = exp(P(.,x),t) = unsigned A066325(x,t), the probabilist's (or normalized) Hermite polynomials. P(n,x) = (a. + x)^n with (a.)^n = a_n and comprise the umbral compositional inverses for A066325(x,t) = exp(UP(.,x),t), i.e., UP(n,P(.,t)) = x^n = P(n,UP(.,t)), where UP(n,t) are the polynomials of A066325 and, e.g., (P(.,t))^n = P(n,t). - Tom Copeland, Nov 15 2014

a(n) = the number of relaxed compacted binary trees of right height at most one of size n. A relaxed compacted binary tree of size n is a directed acyclic graph consisting of a binary tree with n internal nodes, one leaf, and n pointers. It is constructed from a binary tree of size n, where the first leaf in a post-order traversal is kept and all other leaves are replaced by pointers. These links may point to any node that has already been visited by the post-order traversal. The right height is the maximal number of right-edges (or right children) on all paths from the root to any leaf after deleting all pointers. The number of unbounded relaxed compacted binary trees of size n is A082161(n). See the Genitrini et al. link. - Michael Wallner, Jun 20 2017

Also the number of distinct adjacency matrices in the n-ladder rung graph. - Eric W. Weisstein, Jul 22 2017

From Christopher J. Smyth, Jan 26 2018: (Start)

a(n) = the number of essentially different ways of writing a probability distribution taking n+1 values as a sum of products of binary probability distributions. See comment of Mitch Harris above. This is because each such way corresponds to a full binary tree with n+1 leaves, with the leaves labeled by the values. (This comment is due to Niko Brummer.)

Also the number of binary trees with root labeled by an (n+1)-set S, its n+1 leaves by the singleton subsets of S, and other nodes labeled by subsets T of S so that the two daughter nodes of the node labeled by T are labeled by the two parts of a 2-partition of T. This also follows from Mitch Harris' comment above, since the leaf labels determine the labels of the other vertices of the tree.

(End)

a(n) is the n-th moment of the chi-squared distribution with one degree of freedom (equivalent to Coleman's Apr 06 2004 comment). - Bryan R. Gillespie, Mar 07 2021

Let b(n) = 0 for n odd and b(2k) = a(k); i.e., let the sequence b(n) be an aerated version of this entry. After expanding the differential operator (x + D)^n and normal ordering the resulting terms, the integer coefficient of the term x^k D^m is n! b(n-k-m) / [(n-k-m)! k! m!] with 0 <= k,m <= n and (k+m) <= n. E.g., (x+D)^2 = x^2 + 2xD + D^2 + 1 with D = d/dx. The result generalizes to the raising (R) and lowering (L) operators of any Sheffer polynomial sequence by replacing x by R and D by L and follows from the disentangling relation e^{t(L+R)} = e^{t^2/2} e^{tR} e^{tL}. Consequently, these are also the coefficients of the reordered 2^n permutations of the binary symbols L and R under the condition LR = RL + 1. E.g., (L+R)^2 = LL + LR + RL + RR = LL + 2RL + RR + 1. (Cf. A344678.) - Tom Copeland, May 25 2021

From Tom Copeland, Jun 14 2021: (Start)

Lando and Zvonkin present several scenarios in which the double factorials occur in their role of enumerating perfect matchings (pairings) and as the nonzero moments of the Gaussian e^(x^2/2).

Speyer and Sturmfels (p. 6) state that the number of facets of the abstract simplicial complex known as the tropical Grassmannian G'''(2,n), the space of phylogenetic T_n trees (see A134991), or Whitehouse complex is a shifted double factorial.

These are also the unsigned coefficients of the x[2]^m terms in the partition polynomials of A134685 for compositional inversion of e.g.f.s, a refinement of A134991.

a(n)*2^n = A001813(n) and A001813(n)/(n+1)! = A000108(n), the Catalan numbers, the unsigned coefficients of the x[2]^m terms in the partition polynomials A133437 for compositional inversion of o.g.f.s, a refinement of A033282, A126216, and A086810. Then the double factorials inherit a multitude of analytic and combinatoric interpretations from those of the Catalan numbers, associahedra, and the noncrossing partitions of A134264 with the Catalan numbers as unsigned-row sums. (End)

Connections among the Catalan numbers A000108, the odd double factorials, values of the Riemann zeta function and its derivative for integer arguments, and series expansions of the reduced action for the simple harmonic oscillator and the arc length of the spiral of Archimedes are given in the MathOverflow post on the Riemann zeta function. - Tom Copeland, Oct 02 2021

b(n) = a(n) / (n! 2^n) = Sum_{k = 0..n} (-1)^n binomial(n,k) (-1)^k a(k) / (k! 2^k) = (1-b.)^n, umbrally; i.e., the normalized double factorial a(n) is self-inverse under the binomial transform. This can be proved by applying the Euler binomial transformation for o.g.f.s Sum_{n >= 0} (1-b.)^n x^n = (1/(1-x)) Sum_{n >= 0} b_n (x / (x-1))^n to the o.g.f. (1-x)^{-1/2} = Sum_{n >= 0} b_n x^n. Other proofs are suggested by the discussion in Watson on pages 104-5 of transformations of the Bessel functions of the first kind with b(n) = (-1)^n binomial(-1/2,n) = binomial(n-1/2,n) = (2n)! / (n! 2^n)^2. - Tom Copeland, Dec 10 2022

Product of pairs of successive terms gives factorials in increasing order. - Amarnath Murthy, Oct 17 2002

a(n) = number of down-up permutations on [n+1] for which the entries in the even positions are increasing. For example, a(3)=3 counts 2143, 3142, 4132. Also, a(n) = number of down-up permutations on [n+2] for which the entries in the odd positions are decreasing. For example, a(3)=3 counts 51423, 52413, 53412. - David Callan, Nov 29 2007

The double factorial of a positive integer n is the product of the positive integers <= n that have the same parity as n. - Peter Luschny, Jun 23 2011

For n even, a(n) is the number of ways to place n points on an n X n grid with pairwise distinct abscissa, pairwise distinct ordinate, and 180-degree rotational symmetry. For n odd, the number of ways is a(n-1) because the center point can be considered "fixed". For 90-degree rotational symmetry cf. A001813, for mirror symmetry see A000085, A135401, and A297708. - Manfred Scheucher, Dec 29 2017

Could be extended to include a(-1) = 1. But a(-2) is not defined, otherwise we would have 1 = a(0) = 0*a(-2). - Jianing Song, Oct 23 2019

Also exponent of the largest power of 2 dividing (2n)! (A010050) and (2n)!! (A000165).

Write n in binary: 1ab..yz, then a(n) = 1ab..yz + ... + 1ab + 1a + 1. - Ralf Stephan, Aug 27 2003

Also numbers having a partition into distinct Mersenne numbers > 0; A079559(a(n))=1; complement of A055938. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Mar 18 2009

Wikipedia's article on the "Whitney Immersion theorem" mentions that the a(n)-dimensional sphere arises in the Immersion Conjecture proved by Ralph Cohen in 1985. - Jonathan Vos Post, Jan 25 2010

For n > 0, denominators for consecutive pairs of integral numerator polynomials L(n+1,x) for the Legendre polynomials with o.g.f. 1 / sqrt(1-tx+x^2). - Tom Copeland, Feb 04 2016

a(n) is the total number of pointers in the first n elements of a perfect skip list. - Alois P. Heinz, Dec 14 2017

a(n) is the position of the n-th a (indexing from 0) in the fixed point of the morphism a -> aab, b -> b. - Jeffrey Shallit, Dec 24 2020

Numbers that can be expressed as the sum of distinct numbers of the form 2^k - 1 (lenient Mersenne numbers, A000225). This follows from the 2N - Hamming weight definition. A corollary is that these are the numbers with no 2 in their skew-binary representation (cf. A169683). - Allan C. Wechsler, Feb 25 2025

For n >= 1, a(n) is also the number of conjugacy classes in the automorphism group of the n-dimensional hypercube. This automorphism group is the wreath product of the cyclic group C_2 and the symmetric group S_n, its order is in sequence A000165. - Dan Fux (dan.fux(AT)OpenGaia.com or danfux(AT)OpenGaia.com), Nov 04 2001

Also, number of noncongruent matrices in GL_n(Z): each Jordan block can only have +1 or -1 on the diagonal. - Michele Dondi (blazar(AT)lcm.mi.infn.it), Jun 15 2004

a(n) = Sum (k(1)+1)*(k(2)+1)*...*(k(n)+1), where the sum is taken over all (k(1),k(2),...,k(n)) such that k(1)+2*k(2)+...+n*k(n) = n, k(i)>=0, i=1..n, cf. A104510, A077285. - Vladeta Jovovic, Apr 21 2005

Convolution of partition numbers (A000041) with itself. - Graeme McRae, Jun 07 2006

Number of one-to-one partial endofunctions on n unlabeled points. Connected components are either cycles or "lines", hence two for each size. - Franklin T. Adams-Watters, Dec 28 2006

Equals A000716: (1, 3, 9, 22, 561, 108, ...) convolved with A010815. A000716 = the number of partitions of n into parts of 3 kinds = the Euler transform of [3,3,3,...]. - Gary W. Adamson, Oct 26 2008

Paraphrasing the g.f.: 1 + 2x + 5x^2 + ... = s(x) * s(x^2) * s(x^3) * s(x^4) * ...; where s(x) = 1 + 2x + 3x^2 + 4x^3 + ... is (up to a factor x) the g.f. of A000027. - Gary W. Adamson, Apr 01 2010

Also equals number of partitions of 2n in which the odd parts appear as many times in even as in odd positions. - Wouter Meeussen, Apr 17 2013

Also number of ordered pairs (R,S) with R a partition of r, S a partition of s, and r+s=n; see example. This corresponds to the formula a(n) = sum(r+s==n, p(r)*p(s) ) = Sum_{k=0..n} p(k)*p(n-k). - Joerg Arndt, Apr 29 2013

Also the number of all multi-graphs with exactly n-edges and with vertex degrees 1 or 2. - Ebrahim Ghorbani, Dec 02 2013

If one decomposes k-permutations into cycles and so-called paths, the number of different type of decompositions equals to a(k); see the paper by Chen, Ghorbani, and Wong. - Ebrahim Ghorbani, Dec 02 2013

Let T(n,k) be the number of partitions of n having parts 1 through k of two kinds, with T(n,0) = A000041(n), the number of partitions of n. Then a(n) = T(n,0) + T(n-1,1) + T(n-2,2) + T(n-3,3) + ... - Gregory L. Simay, May 18 2019

Also the number of orbits of projections in the partition monoid P_n under conjugation by permutations. - James East, Jul 21 2020

Counts binary rooted trees (with out-degree <= 2), embedded in plane, with n labeled end nodes of degree 1. Unlabeled version gives Catalan numbers A000108.

Define a "downgrade" to be the permutation which places the items of a permutation in descending order. We are concerned with permutations that are identical to their downgrades. Only permutations of order 4n and 4n+1 can have this property; the number of permutations of length 4n having this property are equinumerous with those of length 4n+1. If a permutation p has this property then the reversal of this permutation also has it. a(n) = number of permutations of length 4n and 4n+1 that are identical to their downgrades. - Eugene McDonnell (eemcd(AT)mac.com), Oct 26 2003

Number of broadcast schemes in the complete graph on n+1 vertices, K_{n+1}. - Calin D. Morosan (cd_moros(AT)alumni.concordia.ca), Nov 28 2008

Hankel transform is A137565. - Paul Barry, Nov 25 2009

The e.g.f. of 1/a(n) = n!/(2*n)! is (exp(sqrt(x)) + exp(-sqrt(x)) )/2. - Wolfdieter Lang, Jan 09 2012

From Tom Copeland, Nov 15 2014: (Start)

Aerated with intervening zeros (1,0,2,0,12,0,120,...) = a(n) (cf. A123023 and A001147), the e.g.f. is e^(t^2), so this is the base for the Appell sequence with e.g.f. e^(t^2) e^(x*t) = exp(P(.,x),t) (reverse A059344, cf. A099174, A066325 also). P(n,x) = (a. + x)^n with (a.)^n = a_n and comprise the umbral compositional inverses for e^(-t^2)e^(x*t) = exp(UP(.,x),t), i.e., UP(n,P(.,t)) = x^n = P(n,UP(.,t)), e.g., (P(.,t))^n = P(n,t).

Equals A000407*2 with leading 1 added. (End)

a(n) is also the number of square roots of any permutation in S_{4*n} whose disjoint cycle decomposition consists of 2*n transpositions. - Luis Manuel Rivera Martínez, Mar 04 2015

Self-convolution gives A076729. - Vladimir Reshetnikov, Oct 11 2016

For n > 1, it follows from the formula dated Aug 07 2013 that a(n) is a Zumkeller number (A083207). - Ivan N. Ianakiev, Feb 28 2017

For n divisible by 4, a(n/4) is the number of ways to place n points on an n X n grid with pairwise distinct abscissae, pairwise distinct ordinates, and 90-degree rotational symmetry. For n == 1 (mod 4), the number of ways is a((n-1)/4) because the center point can be considered "fixed". For 180-degree rotational symmetry see A006882, for mirror symmetry see A000085, A135401, and A297708. - Manfred Scheucher, Dec 29 2017

Denominators in the expansion of cos(x): cos(x) = 1 - x^2/2! + x^4/4! - x^6/6! + x^8/8! - ...

Contribution from Peter Bala, Feb 21 2011: (Start)

We may compare the representation a(n) = Product_{k = 0..n-1} (n*(n+1)-k*(k+1)) with n! = Product_{k = 0..n-1} (n-k). Thus we may view a(n) as a generalized factorial function associated with the oblong numbers A002378. Cf. A000680.

The associated generalized binomial coefficients a(n)/(a(k)*a(n-k)) are triangle A086645, cf. A186432. (End)

Also, this sequence is the denominator of cosh(x) = (e^x + e^(-x))/2 = 1 + x^2/2! + x^4/4! + x^6/6! + ... - Mohammad K. Azarian, Jan 19 2012

Also (2n+1)-th derivative of arccoth(x) at x = 0. - Michel Lagneau, Aug 18 2012

Product of the partition parts of 2n+1 into exactly two positive integer parts, n > 0. Example: a(3) = 720, since 2(3)+1 = 7 has 3 partitions with exactly two positive integer parts: (6,1), (5,2), (4,3). Multiplying the parts in these partitions gives: 6! = 720. - Wesley Ivan Hurt, Jun 03 2013