cp's OEIS Frontend

4*a(n) + 1 are the odd squares A016754(n).

The word "pronic" (used by Dickson) is incorrect. - Michael Somos

According to the 2nd edition of Webster, the correct word is "promic". - R. K. Guy

a(n) is the number of minimal vectors in the root lattice A_n (see Conway and Sloane, p. 109).

Let M_n denote the n X n matrix M_n(i, j) = (i + j); then the characteristic polynomial of M_n is x^(n-2) * (x^2 - a(n)*x - A002415(n)). - Benoit Cloitre, Nov 09 2002

The greatest LCM of all pairs (j, k) for j < k <= n for n > 1. - Robert G. Wilson v, Jun 19 2004

First differences are a(n+1) - a(n) = 2*n + 2 = 2, 4, 6, ... (while first differences of the squares are (n+1)^2 - n^2 = 2*n + 1 = 1, 3, 5, ...). - Alexandre Wajnberg, Dec 29 2005

25 appended to these numbers corresponds to squares of numbers ending in 5 (i.e., to squares of A017329). - Lekraj Beedassy, Mar 24 2006

A rapid (mental) multiplication/factorization technique -- a generalization of Lekraj Beedassy's comment: For all bases b >= 2 and positive integers n, c, d, k with c + d = b^k, we have (n*b^k + c)*(n*b^k + d) = a(n)*b^(2*k) + c*d. Thus the last 2*k base-b digits of the product are exactly those of c*d -- including leading 0(s) as necessary -- with the preceding base-b digit(s) the same as a(n)'s. Examples: In decimal, 113*117 = 13221 (as n = 11, b = 10 = 3 + 7, k = 1, 3*7 = 21, and a(11) = 132); in octal, 61*67 = 5207 (52 is a(6) in octal). In particular, for even b = 2*m (m > 0) and c = d = m, such a product is a square of this type. Decimal factoring: 5609 is immediately seen to be 71*79. Likewise, 120099 = 301*399 (k = 2 here) and 99990000001996 = 9999002*9999998 (k = 3). - Rick L. Shepherd, Jul 24 2021

Number of circular binary words of length n + 1 having exactly one occurrence of 01. Example: a(2) = 6 because we have 001, 010, 011, 100, 101 and 110. Column 1 of A119462. - Emeric Deutsch, May 21 2006

The sequence of iterated square roots sqrt(N + sqrt(N + ...)) has for N = 1, 2, ... the limit (1 + sqrt(1 + 4*N))/2. For N = a(n) this limit is n + 1, n = 1, 2, .... For all other numbers N, N >= 1, this limit is not a natural number. Examples: n = 1, a(1) = 2: sqrt(2 + sqrt(2 + ...)) = 1 + 1 = 2; n = 2, a(2) = 6: sqrt(6 + sqrt(6 + ...)) = 1 + 2 = 3. - Wolfdieter Lang, May 05 2006

Nonsquare integers m divisible by ceiling(sqrt(m)), except for m = 0. - Max Alekseyev, Nov 27 2006

The number of off-diagonal elements of an (n + 1) X (n + 1) matrix. - Artur Jasinski, Jan 11 2007

a(n) is equal to the number of functions f:{1, 2} -> {1, 2, ..., n + 1} such that for a fixed x in {1, 2} and a fixed y in {1, 2, ..., n + 1} we have f(x) <> y. - Aleksandar M. Janjic and Milan Janjic, Mar 13 2007

Numbers m >= 0 such that round(sqrt(m+1)) - round(sqrt(m)) = 1. - Hieronymus Fischer, Aug 06 2007

Numbers m >= 0 such that ceiling(2*sqrt(m+1)) - 1 = 1 + floor(2*sqrt(m)). - Hieronymus Fischer, Aug 06 2007

Numbers m >= 0 such that fract(sqrt(m+1)) > 1/2 and fract(sqrt(m)) < 1/2 where fract(x) is the fractional part (fract(x) = x - floor(x), x >= 0). - Hieronymus Fischer, Aug 06 2007

X values of solutions to the equation 4*X^3 + X^2 = Y^2. To find Y values: b(n) = n(n+1)(2n+1). - Mohamed Bouhamida, Nov 06 2007

Nonvanishing diagonal of A132792, the infinitesimal Lah matrix, so "generalized factorials" composed of a(n) are given by the elements of the Lah matrix, unsigned A111596, e.g., a(1)*a(2)*a(3) / 3! = -A111596(4,1) = 24. - Tom Copeland, Nov 20 2007

If Y is a 2-subset of an n-set X then, for n >= 2, a(n-2) is the number of 2-subsets and 3-subsets of X having exactly one element in common with Y. - Milan Janjic, Dec 28 2007

a(n) coincides with the vertex of a parabola of even width in the Redheffer matrix, directed toward zero. An integer p is prime if and only if for all integer k, the parabola y = kx - x^2 has no integer solution with 1 < x < k when y = p; a(n) corresponds to odd k. - Reikku Kulon, Nov 30 2008

The third differences of certain values of the hypergeometric function 3F2 lead to the squares of the oblong numbers i.e., 3F2([1, n + 1, n + 1], [n + 2, n + 2], z = 1) - 3*3F2([1, n + 2, n + 2], [n + 3, n + 3], z = 1) + 3*3F2([1, n + 3, n + 3], [n + 4, n + 4], z = 1) - 3F2([1, n + 4, n + 4], [n + 5, n + 5], z = 1) = (1/((n+2)*(n+3)))^2 for n = -1, 0, 1, 2, ... . See also A162990. - Johannes W. Meijer, Jul 21 2009

Generalized factorials, [a.(n!)] = a(n)*a(n-1)*...*a(0) = A010790(n), with a(0) = 1 are related to A001263. - Tom Copeland, Sep 21 2011

For n > 1, a(n) is the number of functions f:{1, 2} -> {1, ..., n + 2} where f(1) > 1 and f(2) > 2. Note that there are n + 1 possible values for f(1) and n possible values for f(2). For example, a(3) = 12 since there are 12 functions f from {1, 2} to {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} with f(1) > 1 and f(2) > 2. - Dennis P. Walsh, Dec 24 2011

a(n) gives the number of (n + 1) X (n + 1) symmetric (0, 1)-matrices containing two ones (see [Cameron]). - L. Edson Jeffery, Feb 18 2012

a(n) is the number of positions of a domino in a rectangled triangular board with both legs equal to n + 1. - César Eliud Lozada, Sep 26 2012

a(n) is the number of ordered pairs (x, y) in [n+2] X [n+2] with |x-y| > 1. - Dennis P. Walsh, Nov 27 2012

a(n) is the number of injective functions from {1, 2} into {1, 2, ..., n + 1}. - Dennis P. Walsh, Nov 27 2012

a(n) is the sum of the positive differences of the partition parts of 2n + 2 into exactly two parts (see example). - Wesley Ivan Hurt, Jun 02 2013

a(n)/a(n-1) is asymptotic to e^(2/n). - Richard R. Forberg, Jun 22 2013

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

Number of roots in the root system of type A_n (for n > 0). - Tom Edgar, Nov 05 2013

From Felix P. Muga II, Mar 18 2014: (Start)

a(m), for m >= 1, are the only positive integer values t for which the Binet-de Moivre formula for the recurrence b(n) = b(n-1) + t*b(n-2) with b(0) = 0 and b(1) = 1 has a root of a square. PROOF (as suggested by Wolfdieter Lang, Mar 26 2014): The sqrt(1 + 4t) appearing in the zeros r1 and r2 of the characteristic equation is (a positive) integer for positive integer t precisely if 4t + 1 = (2m + 1)^2, that is t = a(m), m >= 1. Thus, the characteristic roots are integers: r1 = m + 1 and r2 = -m.

Let m > 1 be an integer. If b(n) = b(n-1) + a(m)*b(n-2), n >= 2, b(0) = 0, b(1) = 1, then lim_{n->oo} b(n+1)/b(n) = m + 1. (End)

Cf. A130534 for relations to colored forests, disposition of flags on flagpoles, and colorings of the vertices (chromatic polynomial) of the complete graphs (here simply K_2). - Tom Copeland, Apr 05 2014

The set of integers k for which k + sqrt(k + sqrt(k + sqrt(k + sqrt(k + ...) ... is an integer. - Leslie Koller, Apr 11 2014

a(n-1) is the largest number k such that (n*k)/(n+k) is an integer. - Derek Orr, May 22 2014

Number of ways to place a domino and a singleton on a strip of length n - 2. - Ralf Stephan, Jun 09 2014

With offset 1, this appears to give the maximal number of crossings between n nonconcentric circles of equal radius. - Felix Fröhlich, Jul 14 2014

For n > 1, the harmonic mean of the n values a(1) to a(n) is n + 1. The lowest infinite sequence of increasing positive integers whose cumulative harmonic mean is integral. - Ian Duff, Feb 01 2015

a(n) is the maximum number of queens of one color that can coexist without attacking one queen of the opponent's color on an (n+2) X (n+2) chessboard. The lone queen can be placed in any position on the perimeter of the board. - Bob Selcoe, Feb 07 2015

With a(0) = 1, a(n-1) is the smallest positive number not in the sequence such that Sum_{i = 1..n} 1/a(i-1) has a denominator equal to n. - Derek Orr, Jun 17 2015

The positive members of this sequence are a proper subsequence of the so-called 1-happy couple products A007969. See the W. Lang link there, eq. (4), with Y_0 = 1, with a table at the end. - Wolfdieter Lang, Sep 19 2015

For n > 0, a(n) is the reciprocal of the area bounded above by y = x^(n-1) and below by y = x^n for x in the interval [0, 1]. Summing all such areas visually demonstrates the formula below giving Sum_{n >= 1} 1/a(n) = 1. - Rick L. Shepherd, Oct 26 2015

It appears that, except for a(0) = 0, this is the set of positive integers n such that x*floor(x) = n has no solution. (For example, to get 3, take x = -3/2.) - Melvin Peralta, Apr 14 2016

If two independent real random variables, x and y, are distributed according to the same exponential distribution: pdf(x) = lambda * exp(-lambda * x), lambda > 0, then the probability that n - 1 <= x/y < n is given by 1/a(n). - Andres Cicuttin, Dec 03 2016

a(n) is equal to the sum of all possible differences between n different pairs of consecutive odd numbers (see example). - Miquel Cerda, Dec 04 2016

a(n+1) is the dimension of the space of vector fields in the plane with polynomial coefficients up to order n. - Martin Licht, Dec 04 2016

It appears that a(n) + 3 is the area of the largest possible pond in a square (A268311). - Craig Knecht, May 04 2017

Also the number of 3-cycles in the (n+3)-triangular honeycomb acute knight graph. - Eric W. Weisstein, Jul 27 2017

Also the Wiener index of the (n+2)-wheel graph. - Eric W. Weisstein, Sep 08 2017

The left edge of a Floyd's triangle that consists of even numbers: 0; 2, 4; 6, 8, 10; 12, 14, 16, 18; 20, 22, 24, 26, 28; ... giving 0, 2, 6, 12, 20, ... The right edge generates A028552. - Waldemar Puszkarz, Feb 02 2018

a(n+1) is the order of rowmotion on a poset obtained by adjoining a unique minimal (or maximal) element to a disjoint union of at least two chains of n elements. - Nick Mayers, Jun 01 2018

From Juhani Heino, Feb 05 2019: (Start)

For n > 0, 1/a(n) = n/(n+1) - (n-1)/n.

For example, 1/6 = 2/3 - 1/2; 1/12 = 3/4 - 2/3.

Corollary of this:

Take 1/2 pill.

Next day, take 1/6 pill. 1/2 + 1/6 = 2/3, so your daily average is 1/3.

Next day, take 1/12 pill. 2/3 + 1/12 = 3/4, so your daily average is 1/4.

And so on. (End)

From Bernard Schott, May 22 2020: (Start)

For an oblong number m >= 6 there exists a Euclidean division m = d*q + r with q < r < d which are in geometric progression, in this order, with a common integer ratio b. For b >= 2 and q >= 1, the Euclidean division is m = qb*(qb+1) = qb^2 * q + qb where (q, qb, qb^2) are in geometric progression.

Some examples with distinct ratios and quotients:

6 | 4 30 | 25 42 | 18

----- ----- -----

2 | 1 , 5 | 1 , 6 | 2 ,

and also:

42 | 12 420 | 100

----- -----

6 | 3 , 20 | 4 .

Some oblong numbers also satisfy a Euclidean division m = d*q + r with q < r < d that are in geometric progression in this order but with a common noninteger ratio b > 1 (see A335064). (End)

For n >= 1, the continued fraction expansion of sqrt(a(n)) is [n; {2, 2n}]. For n=1, this collapses to [1; {2}]. - Magus K. Chu, Sep 09 2022

a(n-2) is the maximum irregularity over all trees with n vertices. The extremal graphs are stars. (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

For n > 0, number of diagonals in a regular 2*(n+1)-gon that are not parallel to any edge (cf. A367204). - Paolo Xausa, Mar 30 2024

a(n-1) is the maximum Zagreb index over all trees with n vertices. The extremal graphs are stars. (The Zagreb index of a graph is the sum of the squares of the degrees over all vertices of the graph.) - Allan Bickle, Apr 11 2024

For n >= 1, a(n) is the determinant of the distance matrix of a cycle graph on 2*n + 1 vertices (if the length of the cycle is even such a determinant is zero). - Miquel A. Fiol, Aug 20 2024

For n > 1, the continued fraction expansion of sqrt(16*a(n)) is [2n+1; {1, 2n-1, 1, 8n+2}]. - Magus K. Chu, Nov 20 2024

For n>=2, a(n) is the number of faces on a n+1-zone rhombic zonohedron. Each pair of a collection of great circles on a sphere intersects at two points, so there are 2*binomial(n+1,2) intersections. The dual of the implied polyhedron is a rhombic zonohedron, its faces corresponding to the intersections. - Shel Kaphan, Aug 12 2025

Or, odd primes p such that -1 is not a square mod p, i.e., the Legendre symbol (-1/p) = -1. [LeVeque I, p. 66]. - N. J. A. Sloane, Jun 28 2008

Primes which are not the sum of two squares, see the comment in A022544. - Artur Jasinski, Nov 15 2006

Natural primes which are also Gaussian primes. (It is a common error to refer to this sequence as "the Gaussian primes".)

Inert rational primes in the field Q(sqrt(-1)). - N. J. A. Sloane, Dec 25 2017

Numbers n such that the product of coefficients of (2n)-th cyclotomic polynomial equals -1. - Benoit Cloitre, Oct 22 2002

For p and q both belonging to the sequence, exactly one of the congruences x^2 = p (mod q), x^2 = q (mod p) is solvable, according to Gauss reciprocity law. - Lekraj Beedassy, Jul 17 2003

Also primes p that divide L((p-1)/2) or L((p+1)/2), where L(n) = A000032(n), the Lucas numbers. Union of A122869 and A122870. - Alexander Adamchuk, Sep 16 2006

Also odd primes p that divide ((p-1)!! + 1) or ((p-2)!! + 1). - Alexander Adamchuk, Nov 30 2006

Also odd primes p that divide ((p-1)!! - 1) or ((p-2)!! - 1). - Alexander Adamchuk, Apr 18 2007

This sequence is a proper subset of the set of the absolute values of negative fundamental discriminants (A003657). - Paul Muljadi, Mar 29 2008

Bernard Frénicle de Bessy discovered that such primes cannot be the hypotenuse of a Pythagorean triangle in opposition to primes of the form 4*n+1 (see A002144). - after Paul Curtz, Sep 10 2008

A079261(a(n)) = 1; complement of A145395. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Oct 12 2008

Subsequence of A007970. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jun 18 2011

A151763(a(n)) = -1.

Primes p such that p XOR 2 = p - 2. Brad Clardy, Oct 25 2011 (Misleading in the sense that this is a formula for the super-sequence A004767. - R. J. Mathar, Jul 28 2014)

It appears that each term of A004767 is the mean of two terms of this subsequence of primes therein; cf. A245203. - M. F. Hasler, Jul 13 2014

Numbers n > 2 such that ((n-2)!!)^2 == 1 (mod n). - Thomas Ordowski, Jul 24 2016

Odd numbers n > 1 such that ((n-1)!!)^2 == 1 (mod n). - Thomas Ordowski, Jul 25 2016

Primes p such that (p-2)!! == (p-3)!! (mod p). - Thomas Ordowski, Jul 28 2016

See Granville and Martin for a discussion of the relative numbers of primes of the form 4k+1 and 4k+3. - Editors, May 01 2017

Sometimes referred to as Blum primes for their connection to A016105 and the Blum Blum Shub generator. - Charles R Greathouse IV, Jun 14 2018

Conjecture: a(n) for n > 4 can be written as a sum of 3 primes of the form 4k+1, which would imply that primes of the form 4k+3 >= 23 can be decomposed into a sum of 6 nonzero squares. - Thomas Scheuerle, Feb 09 2023

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

These are Hogben's central polygonal numbers denoted by

...2...

....P..

...4.n.

Numbers of the form (k^2+1)/2 for k odd.

(y(2x+1))^2 + (y(2x^2+2x))^2 = (y(2x^2+2x+1))^2. E.g., let y = 2, x = 1; (2(2+1))^2 + (2(2+2))^2 = (2(2+2+1))^2, (2(3))^2 + (2(4))^2 = (2(5))^2, 6^2 + 8^2 = 10^2, 36 + 64 = 100. - Glenn B. Cox (igloos_r_us(AT)canada.com), Apr 08 2002

a(n) is also the number of 3 X 3 magic squares with sum 3(n+1). - Sharon Sela (sharonsela(AT)hotmail.com), May 11 2002

For n > 0, a(n) is the smallest k such that zeta(2) - Sum_{i=1..k} 1/i^2 <= zeta(3) - Sum_{i=1..n} 1/i^3. - Benoit Cloitre, May 17 2002

Number of convex polyominoes with a 2 X (n+1) minimal bounding rectangle.

The prime terms are given by A027862. - Lekraj Beedassy, Jul 09 2004

First difference of a(n) is 4n = A008586(n). Any entry k of the sequence is followed by k + 2*(1 + sqrt(2k - 1)). - Lekraj Beedassy, Jun 04 2006

Integers of the form 1 + x + x^2/2 (generating polynomial is Schur's polynomial as in A127876). - Artur Jasinski, Feb 04 2007

If X is an n-set and Y and Z disjoint 2-subsets of X then a(n-4) is equal to the number of 4-subsets of X intersecting both Y and Z. - Milan Janjic, Aug 26 2007

Row sums of triangle A132778. - Gary W. Adamson, Sep 02 2007

Binomial transform of [1, 4, 4, 0, 0, 0, ...]; = inverse binomial transform of A001788: (1, 6, 24, 80, 240, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, Sep 02 2007

Narayana transform (A001263) of [1, 4, 0, 0, 0, ...]. Equals A128064 (unsigned) * [1, 2, 3, ...]. - Gary W. Adamson, Dec 29 2007

k such that the Diophantine equation x^3 - y^3 = x*y + k has a solution with y = x-1. If that solution is (x,y) = (m+1,m) then m^2 + (m+1)^2 = k. Note that this Diophantine equation is an elliptic curve and (m+1,m) is an integer point on it. - James R. Buddenhagen, Aug 12 2008

Numbers k such that (k, k, 2*k-2) are the sides of an isosceles triangle with integer area. Also, k such that 2*k-1 is a square. - James R. Buddenhagen, Oct 17 2008

a(n) is also the least weight of self-conjugate partitions having n+1 different odd parts. - Augustine O. Munagi, Dec 18 2008

Prefaced with a "1": (1, 1, 5, 13, 25, 41, ...) = A153869 * (1, 2, 3, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, Jan 03 2009

Prefaced with a "1": (1, 1, 5, 13, 25, 41, ...) where a(n) = 2n*(n-1)+1, all tuples of square numbers (X-Y, X, X+Y) are produced by ((m*(a(n)-2n))^2, (m*a(n))^2, (m*(a(n)+2n-2))^2) where m is a whole number. - Doug Bell, Feb 27 2009

Equals (1, 2, 3, ...) convolved with (1, 3, 4, 4, 4, ...). E.g., a(3) = 25 = (1, 2, 3, 4) dot (4, 4, 3, 1) = (4 + 8 + 9 + 4). - Gary W. Adamson, May 01 2009

The running sum of squares taken two at a time. - Al Hakanson (hawkuu(AT)gmail.com), May 18 2009

Equals the odd integers convolved with (1, 2, 2, 2, ...). - Gary W. Adamson, May 25 2009

Equals the triangular numbers convolved with [1, 2, 1, 0, 0, 0, ...]. - Gary W. Adamson & Alexander R. Povolotsky, May 29 2009

When the positive integers are written in a square array by diagonals as in A038722, a(n) gives the numbers appearing on the main diagonal. - Joshua Zucker, Jul 07 2009

The finite continued fraction [n,1,1,n] = (2n+1)/(2n^2 + 2n + 1) = (2n+1)/a(n); and the squares of the first two denominators of the convergents = a(n). E.g., the convergents and value of [4,1,1,4] = 1/4, 1/5, 2/9, 9/41 where 4^2 + 5^2 = 41. - Gary W. Adamson, Jul 15 2010

From Keith Tyler, Aug 10 2010: (Start)

Running sum of A008574.

Square open pyramidal number; that is, the number of elements in a square pyramid of height (n) with only surface and no bottom nodes. (End)

For k>0, x^4 + x^2 + k factors over the integers iff sqrt(k) is in this sequence. - James R. Buddenhagen, Aug 15 2010

Create the simple continued fraction from Pythagorean triples to get [2n + 1; 2n^2 + 2n, 2n^2 + 2n + 1]; its value equals the rational number 2n + 1 + a(n) / (4n^4 + 8n^3 + 6n^2 + 2n + 1). - J. M. Bergot, Sep 30 2011

a(n), n >= 1, has in its prime number factorization only primes of the form 4*k+1, i.e., congruent to 1 (mod 4) (see A002144). This follows from the fact that a(n) is a primitive sum of two squares and odd. See Theorem 3.20, p. 164, in the given Niven-Zuckerman-Montgomery reference. E.g., a(3) = 25 = 5^2, a(6) = 85 = 5*17. - Wolfdieter Lang, Mar 08 2012

From Ant King, Jun 15 2012: (Start)

a(n) is congruent to 1 (mod 4) for all n.

The digital roots of the a(n) form a purely periodic palindromic 9-cycle 1, 5, 4, 7, 5, 7, 4, 5, 1.

The units' digits of the a(n) form a purely periodic palindromic 5-cycle 1, 5, 3, 5, 1.

(End)

Number of integer solutions (x,y) of |x| + |y| <= n. Geometrically: number of lattice points inside a square with vertices (n,0), (0,-n), (-n,0), (0,n). - César Eliud Lozada, Sep 18 2012

(a(n)-1)/a(n) = 2*x / (1+x^2) where x = n/(n+1). Note that in this form, this is the velocity-addition formula according to the special theory of relativity (two objects traveling at 1/(n+1) slower than c relative to each other appear to travel at 1/a(n) less than c to a stationary observer). - Christian N. K. Anderson, May 20 2013 [Corrected by Rémi Guillaume, May 22 2025]

A geometric curiosity: the envelope of the circles x^2 + (y-a(n)/2)^2 = ((2n+1)/2)^2 is the parabola y = x^2, the n=0 circle being the osculating circle at the parabola vertex. - Jean-François Alcover, Dec 02 2013

Draw n ellipses in the plane (n>0), any 2 meeting in 4 points; a(n-1) gives the number of internal regions into which the plane is divided (cf. A051890, A046092); a(n-1) = A051890(n) - 1 = A046092(n-1) + 1. - Jaroslav Krizek, Dec 27 2013

a(n) is also, of course, the scalar product of the 2-vector (n, n+1) (or (n+1, n)) with itself. The unique inverse of (n, n+1) as vector in the Clifford algebra over the Euclidean 2-space is (1/a(n))(0, n, n+1, 0) (similarly for the other vector). In general the unique inverse of such a nonzero vector v (odd element in Cl_2) is v^(-1) = (1/|v|^2) v. Note that the inverse with respect to the scalar product is not unique for any nonzero vector. See the P. Lounesto reference, sects. 1.7 - 1.12, pp. 7-14. See also the Oct 15 2014 comment in A147973. - Wolfdieter Lang, Nov 06 2014

Subsequence of A004431, for n >= 1. - Bob Selcoe, Mar 23 2016

Numbers k such that 2k - 1 is a perfect square. - Juri-Stepan Gerasimov, Apr 06 2016

The number of active (ON, black) cells in n-th stage of growth of two-dimensional cellular automaton defined by "Rule 574", based on the 5-celled von Neumann neighborhood. - Robert Price, May 13 2016

a(n) is the first integer in a sum of (2*n + 1)^2 consecutive integers that equals (2*n + 1)^4. - Patrick J. McNab, Dec 24 2016

Central elements of odd-length rows of the triangular array of positive integers. a(n) is the mean of the numbers in the (2*n + 1)-th row of this triangle. - David James Sycamore, Aug 01 2018

Intersection of A000982 and A080827. - David James Sycamore, Aug 07 2018

An off-diagonal of the array of Delannoy numbers, A008288, (or a row/column when the array is shown as a square). As such, this is one of the crystal ball sequences. - Jack W Grahl, Feb 15 2021 and Shel Kaphan, Jan 18 2023

a(n) appears as a solution to a "Riddler Express" puzzle on the FiveThirtyEight website. The Jan 21 2022 issue (problem) and the Jan 28 2022 issue (solution) present the following puzzle and include a proof. - Fold a square piece of paper in half, obtaining a rectangle. Fold again to obtain a square with 1/4 the size of the original square. Then make n cuts through the folded paper. a(n) is the greatest number of pieces of the unfolded paper after the cutting. - Manfred Boergens, Feb 22 2022

a(n) is (1/6) times the number of 2 X 2 triangles in the n-th order hexagram with 12*n^2 cells. - Donghwi Park, Feb 06 2024

If k is a centered square number, its index in this sequence is n = (sqrt(2k-1)-1)/2. - Rémi Guillaume, Mar 30 2025.

Row sums of the symmetric triangle of odd numbers [1]; [1, 3, 1]; [1, 3, 5, 3, 1]; [1, 3, 5, 7, 5, 3, 1]; .... - Marco Zárate, Jun 15 2025

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

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

Numbers n such that sum of divisors of n (A000203) is odd.

Also the numbers with an odd number of run sums (trapezoidal arrangements, number of ways of being written as the difference of two triangular numbers). - Ron Knott, Jan 27 2003

Pell(n)*Sum_{k|n} 1/Pell(k) is odd, where Pell(n) is A000129(n). - Paul Barry, Oct 12 2005

Number of odd divisors of n (A001227) is odd. - Vladeta Jovovic, Aug 28 2007

A071324(a(n)) is odd. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Jul 03 2008

Sigma(a(n)) = A000203(a(n)) = A152677(n). - Jaroslav Krizek, Oct 06 2009

Numbers n such that sum of odd divisors of n (A000593) is odd. - Omar E. Pol, Jul 05 2016

A187793(a(n)) is odd. - Timothy L. Tiffin, Jul 18 2016

If k is odd (k = 2m+1 for m >= 0), then 2^k = 2^(2m+1) = 2*(2^m)^2. If k is even (k = 2m for m >= 0), then 2^k = 2^(2m) = (2^m)^2. So, the powers of 2 sequence (A000079) is a subsequence of this one. - Timothy L. Tiffin, Jul 18 2016

Numbers n such that A175317(n) = Sum_{d|n} pod(d) is odd, where pod(m) = the product of divisors of m (A007955). - Jaroslav Krizek, Dec 28 2016

Positions of zeros in A292377 and A292383, positions of ones in A286357 and A292583. (See A292583 for why.) - Antti Karttunen, Sep 25 2017

Numbers of the form A000079(i)*A016754(j), i,j>=0. - R. J. Mathar, May 30 2020

Equivalently, numbers whose odd part is square. Cf. A042968. - Peter Munn, Jul 14 2020

These are the Heinz numbers of the partitions counted by A119620. - Gus Wiseman, Oct 29 2021

Numbers m whose abundance, A033880(m), is odd. - Peter Munn, May 23 2022

Numbers with an odd number of middle divisors (cf. A067742). - Omar E. Pol, Aug 02 2022

These are Hogben's central polygonal numbers

2

.P

3 n

Also the sum of three consecutive triangular numbers (A000217); i.e., a(4) = 19 = T4 + T3 + T2 = 10 + 6 + 3. - Robert G. Wilson v, Apr 27 2001

For k>2, Sum_{n=1..k} a(n) gives the sum pertaining to the magic square of order k. E.g., Sum_{n=1..5} a(n) = 1 + 4 + 10 + 19 + 31 = 65. In general, Sum_{n=1..k} a(n) = k*(k^2 + 1)/2. - Amarnath Murthy, Dec 22 2001

Binomial transform of (1,3,3,0,0,0,...). - Paul Barry, Jul 01 2003

a(n) is the difference of two tetrahedral (or pyramidal) numbers: C(n+3,3) = (n+1)(n+2)(n+3)/6. a(n) = A000292(n) - A000292(n-3) = (n+1)(n+2)(n+3)/6 - (n-2)(n-1)(n)/6. - Alexander Adamchuk, May 20 2006

Partial sums are A006003(n) = n(n^2+1)/2. Finite differences are a(n+1) - a(n) = A008585(n) = 3n. - Alexander Adamchuk, Jun 03 2006

If X is an n-set and Y a fixed 3-subset of X then a(n-2) is equal to the number of 3-subsets of X intersecting Y. - Milan Janjic, Jul 30 2007

Equals (1, 2, 3, ...) convolved with (1, 2, 3, 3, 3, ...). a(4) = 19 = (1, 2, 3, 4) dot (3, 3, 2, 1) = (3 + 6 + 6 + 4). - Gary W. Adamson, May 01 2009

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

a(n) is the number of triples (w,x,y) having all terms in {0,...,n} and min(w+x,x+y,y+w) = max(w,x,y). - Clark Kimberling, Jun 14 2012

a(n) = number of atoms at graph distance <= n from an atom in the graphite or graphene network (cf. A008486). - N. J. A. Sloane, Jan 06 2013

In 1826, Shiraishi gave a solution to the Diophantine equation a^3 + b^3 + c^3 = d^3 with b = a(n) for n > 1; see A226903. - Jonathan Sondow, Jun 22 2013

For n > 1, a(n) is the remainder of n^2 * (n-1)^2 mod (n^2 + (n-1)^2). - J. M. Bergot, Jun 27 2013

The equation A000578(x) - A000578(x-1) = A000217(y) - A000217(y-2) is satisfied by y=a(x). - Bruno Berselli, Feb 19 2014

A242357(a(n)) = n. - Reinhard Zumkeller, May 11 2014

A255437(a(n)) = 1. - Reinhard Zumkeller, Mar 23 2015

The first differences give A008486. a(n) seems to give the total number of triangles in the n-th generation of the six patterns of triangle expansion shown in the link. - Kival Ngaokrajang, Sep 12 2015

Number of binary shuffle squares of length 2n which contains exactly two 1's. - Bartlomiej Pawlik, Sep 07 2023

The digital root has period 3 (1, 4, 1) (A146325), the same digital root as the centered 12-gonal numbers, or centered dodecagonal numbers A003154(n). - Peter M. Chema, Dec 20 2023

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