cp's OEIS Frontend

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

...2....

....P...

...2.n..

(P with three attachments).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Complement of A135668. - Kieren MacMillan, Dec 16 2007

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

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

.

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

| |

6 1---2 11

| | |

5---4---3 12

|

16--15--14--13

.

Cf. A137928. (End)

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

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

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

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

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

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

From Emeric Deutsch, Sep 23 2010: (Start)

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

(End)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 2 3

21 22 23

31 32 33

11 12 13 14

.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

C(43,7,2), existence unresolved

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

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

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

From Bernard Schott, Dec 31 2020: (Start)

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

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

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

Minimum Wiener index of 2-degenerate graphs with n+1 vertices (n>0). A maximal 2-degenerate graph can be constructed from a 2-clique by iteratively adding a new 2-leaf (vertex of degree 2) adjacent to two existing vertices. The extremal graphs are maximal 2-degenerate graphs with diameter at most 2. - Allan Bickle, Oct 14 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From Peter Bala, Jan 03 2024: (Start)

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

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

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

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

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

Apart from initial term(s), dimension of the space of weight 2n cusp forms for Gamma_0(12).

Binary expansion ends 11.

These the numbers for which zeta(2*x+1) needs just 2 terms to be evaluated. - Jorge Coveiro, Dec 16 2004 [This comment needs clarification]

a(n) is the smallest k such that for every r from 0 to 2n - 1 there exist j and i, k >= j > i > 2n - 1, such that j - i == r (mod (2n - 1)), with (k, (2n - 1)) = (j,(2n - 1)) = (i, (2n - 1)) = 1. - Amarnath Murthy, Sep 24 2003

Complement of A004773. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Aug 29 2005

Any (4n+3)-dimensional manifold endowed with a mixed 3-Sasakian structure is an Einstein space with Einstein constant lambda = 4n + 2 [Theorem 3, p. 10 of Ianus et al.]. - Jonathan Vos Post, Nov 24 2008

Solutions to the equation x^(2*x) = 3*x (mod 4*x). - Farideh Firoozbakht, May 02 2010

Subsequence of A022544. - Vincenzo Librandi, Nov 20 2010

First differences of A084849. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Apr 02 2011

Numbers n such that {1, 2, 3, ..., n} is a losing position in the game of Nim. - Franklin T. Adams-Watters, Jul 16 2011

Numbers n such that there are no primes p that satisfy the relationship p XOR n = p + n. - Brad Clardy, Jul 22 2012

The XOR of all numbers from 1 to a(n) is 0. - David W. Wilson, Apr 21 2013

A089911(4*a(n)) = 4. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jul 05 2013

First differences of A014105. - Ivan N. Ianakiev, Sep 21 2013

All triangular numbers in the sequence are congruent to {3, 7} mod 8. - Ivan N. Ianakiev, Nov 12 2013

Apart from the initial term, length of minimal path on an n-dimensional cubic lattice (n > 1) of side length 2, until a self-avoiding walk gets stuck. Construct a path connecting all 2n points orthogonally adjacent from the center, ending at the center. Starting at any point adjacent to the center, there are 2 steps to reach each of the remaining 2n - 1 points, resulting in path length 4n - 2 with a final step connecting the center, for a total path length of 4n - 1, comprising 4n points. - Matthew Lehman, Dec 10 2013

a(n-1), n >= 1, appears as first column in the triangles A238476 and A239126 related to the Collatz problem. - Wolfdieter Lang, Mar 14 2014

For the Collatz Conjecture, we identify two types of odd numbers. This sequence contains all the ascenders: where (3*a(n) + 1) / 2 is odd and greater than a(n). See A016813 for the descenders. - Jaroslav Krizek, Jul 29 2016

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

Also the rows of both triangles A237270 and A237593 interleaved.

Also, irregular triangle read by rows in which T(n,k) is the area of the k-th region (from left to right in ascending diagonal) of the n-th symmetric set of regions (from the top to the bottom in descending diagonal) in the two-dimensional diagram of the perspective view of the infinite stepped pyramid described in A245092 (see the diagram in the Links section).

The diagram of the symmetric representation of sigma is also the top view of the pyramid, see Links section. For more information about the diagram see also A237593 and A237270.

The number of cubes at the n-th level is also A024916(n), the sum of all divisors of all positive integers <= n.

Note that this pyramid is also a quarter of the pyramid described in A244050. Both pyramids have infinitely many levels.

Odd-indexed rows are also the rows of the irregular triangle A237270.

Even-indexed rows are also the rows of the triangle A237593.

Lengths of the odd-indexed rows are in A237271.

Lengths of the even-indexed rows give 2*A003056.

Row sums of the odd-indexed rows gives A000203, the sum of divisors function.

Row sums of the even-indexed rows give the positive even numbers (see A005843).

Row sums give A245092.

From the front view of the stepped pyramid emerges a geometric pattern which is related to A001227, the number of odd divisors of the positive integers.

The connection with the odd divisors of the positive integers is as follows: A261697 --> A261699 --> A237048 --> A235791 --> A237591 --> A237593 --> A237270 --> this sequence.

4 times the squares.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Write 0, 1, 2, ... in a square spiral, with 0 at the origin and 1 immediately below it; sequence gives numbers on the negative y-axis (see Example section).

Number of divisors of 48^(n-1) for n > 0. - J. Lowell, Aug 30 2008

a(n) is the Wiener index of the graph obtained by connecting two copies of the complete graph K_n by an edge (for n = 3, approximately: |>-<|). The Wiener index of a connected graph is the sum of the distances between all unordered pairs of vertices in the graph. - Emeric Deutsch, Sep 20 2010

This sequence does not contain any squares other than 0 and 1. See A188896. - T. D. Noe, Apr 13 2011

For n > 0: right edge of the triangle A033293. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jan 18 2012

Sequence found by reading the line from 0, in the direction 0, 10, ... and the parallel line from 1, in the direction 1, 27, ..., in the square spiral whose vertices are the generalized decagonal numbers A074377. - Omar E. Pol, Jul 18 2012

Partial sums give A007585. - Omar E. Pol, Jan 15 2013

This is also a star pentagonal number: a(n) = A000326(n) + 5*A000217(n-1). - Luciano Ancora, Mar 28 2015

Also the number of undirected paths in the n-sunlet graph. - Eric W. Weisstein, Sep 07 2017

After 0, a(n) is the sum of 2*n consecutive integers starting from n-1. - Bruno Berselli, Jan 16 2018

Number of corona of an H0 hexagon with a T(n) triangle. - Craig Knecht, Dec 13 2024

Write 0,1,2,... in a spiral; sequence gives numbers on one of 4 diagonals (see Example section).

For n>1 this is the Engel expansion of cosh(1), A118239. - Benoit Cloitre, Mar 03 2002

a(n) = A125199(n,n) for n>0. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Nov 24 2006

Central terms of the triangle in A195437: a(n+1) = A195437(2*n,n). - Reinhard Zumkeller, Nov 23 2011

For n>2, the terms represent the sums of those primitive Pythagorean triples with hypotenuse (H) one unit longer than the longest side (L), or H = L + 1. - Richard R. Forberg, Jun 09 2015

For n>1, a(n) is the perimeter of a Pythagorean triangle with an odd leg 2*n-1. - Agola Kisira Odero, Apr 26 2016

From Rigoberto Florez, Nov 07 2020 : (Start)

A338109(n)/a(n+1) is the Kirchhoff index of the join of the disjoint union of two complete graphs on n vertices with the empty graph on n+1 vertices.

Equivalently, the graph can be described as the graph on 3*n + 1 vertices with labels 0..3*n and with i and j adjacent iff iff i+j> 0 mod 3.

A338588(n)/a(n+1) is the Kirchhoff index of the disjoint union of two complete graphs each on n and n+1 vertices with the empty graph on n+1 vertices.

Equivalently, the graph can be described as the graph on 3*n + 2 vertices with labels 0..3*n+1 and with i and j adjacent iff i+j> 0 mod 3.

These graphs are cographs. (End)

a(n), n>=1, is the number of paths of minimum length (length=2) from the origin to the cross polytope of size 2 in Z^n (column 2 in A371064). - Shel Kaphan, Mar 09 2024

Arithmetic mean of a pair of successive triangular numbers. - Amarnath Murthy, Jul 24 2005

Maximum sum of absolute differences of cyclically adjacent elements in a permutation of (1..n). For example, with n = 9, permutation (1,9,2,8,3,7,4,6,5) has adjacent differences (8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,4) with maximal sum a(9) = 40. - Joshua Zucker, Dec 15 2005

a(n) = maximum number of non-overlapping 1 X 2 rectangles that can be packed into an n X n square. Rectangles can only be placed parallel to the sides of the square. Verified with Lobato's tool, see links. - Dmitry Kamenetsky, Aug 03 2009 [This is easily provable - David W. Wilson, Jan 25 2014]

Number of strictly increasing arrangements of 3 nonzero numbers in -(n+1)..(n+1) with sum zero. For example, a(2) = 2 has two solutions: (-3, 1, 2) and (-2, -1, 3) each add to zero. - Michael Somos, Apr 11 2011

For n >= 4 is a(n) the minimal value v such that v = Sum_{i in S1} i = Product_{j in S2} j with disjoint union of S1, S2 = {1, 2, ..., n+1}. Example: a(4) = 8 = 3+5 = 1*2*4. - Claudio Meller, May 27 2012

Sum_{n > 1} 1/a(n) = (zeta(2) + 1)/2. - Enrique Pérez Herrero, Jun 19 2013

Apart from the initial term this is the elliptic troublemaker sequence R_n(2,4) in the notation of Stange (see Table 1, p. 16). For other elliptic troublemaker sequences R_n(a,b) see the cross references below. - Peter Bala, Aug 12 2013

Maximum sum of displacements of elements in a permutation of (1..n). For example, with n = 9, permutation (5,6,7,8,9,1,2,3,4) has displacements (4,4,4,4,4,5,5,5,5) with maximal sum a(9) = 40. - David W. Wilson, Jan 25 2014

A245575(a(n)) mod 2 = 1, or for n > 0, where odd terms occur in A245575. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Aug 05 2014

Also the matching number of the n X n king, rook, and rook complement graphs. - Eric W. Weisstein, Jun 20 and Sep 14 2017

For n > 1, also the vertex count of the n X n white bishop graph. - Eric W. Weisstein, Jun 27 2017

This is also the number of distinct ways n^2 can be represented as the sum of two positive integers. - William Boyles, Jan 15 2018

Also the crossing number of the complete bipartite graph K_{4,n+1}. - Eric W. Weisstein, Sep 11 2018

The sequence can be obtained from A033429 by deleting the last digit of each term. - Bruno Berselli, Sep 11 2019

Starting at n=2, the number of facets of the n-dimensional Kunz cone C_(n+1). - Emily O'Sullivan, Jul 08 2023

Write 0, 1, 2, ... in a clockwise spiral; sequence gives numbers on one of 4 diagonals.

Also, least m > n such that T(m)*T(n) is a square and more precisely that of A055112(n). {T(n) = A000217(n)}. - Lekraj Beedassy, May 14 2004

Also sequence found by reading the line from 0, in the direction 0, 8, ... and the same line from 0, in the direction 0, 24, ..., in the square spiral whose vertices are the generalized decagonal numbers A074377. Axis perpendicular to A195146 in the same spiral. - Omar E. Pol, Sep 18 2011

Number of diagonals with length sqrt(5) in an (n+1) X (n+1) square grid. Every 1 X 2 rectangle has two such diagonals. - Wesley Ivan Hurt, Mar 25 2015

Imagine a board made of squares (like a chessboard), one of whose squares is completely surrounded by square-shaped layers made of adjacent squares. a(n) is the total number of squares in the first to n-th layer. a(1) = 8 because there are 8 neighbors to the unit square; adding them gives a 3 X 3 square. a(2) = 24 = 8 + 16 because we need 16 more squares in the next layer to get a 5 X 5 square: a(n) = (2*n+1)^2 - 1 counting the (2n+1) X (2n+1) square minus the central square. - R. J. Cano, Sep 26 2015

The three platonic solids (the simplex, hypercube, and cross-polytope) with unit side length in n dimensions all have rational volume if and only if n appears in this sequence, after 0. - Brian T Kuhns, Feb 26 2016

The number of active (ON, black) cells in the n-th stage of growth of the two-dimensional cellular automaton defined by "Rule 645", based on the 5-celled von Neumann neighborhood. - Robert Price, May 19 2016

The square root of a(n), n>0, has continued fraction [2n; {1,4n}] with whole number part 2n and periodic part {1,4n}. - Ron Knott, May 11 2017

Numbers k such that k+1 is a square and k is a multiple of 4. - Bruno Berselli, Sep 28 2017

a(n) is the number of vertices of the octagonal network O(n,n); O(m,n) is defined by Fig. 1 of the Siddiqui et al. reference. - Emeric Deutsch, May 13 2018

a(n) is the number of vertices in conjoined n X n octagons which are arranged into a square array, a.k.a. truncated square tiling. - Donghwi Park, Dec 20 2020

a(n-2) is the number of ways to place 3 adjacent marks in a diagonal, horizontal, or vertical row on an n X n tic-tac-toe grid. - Matej Veselovac, May 28 2021