We prove various congruences for Catalan and Motzkin numbers as well as related sequences. The common thread is that all these sequences can be expressed in terms of binomial coefficients. Our techniques are combinatorial and algebraic: group actions, induction, and Lucas' congruence for binomial coefficients come into play. A number of our results settle conjectures of Benoit Cloitre and Reinhard Zumkeller. The Thue-Morse sequence appears in several contexts.
We use the inversion of coefficient arrays to define dual polynomials to the Fibonacci and Catalan-Fibonacci polynomials, and we explore the properties of these new polynomials sequences. Many of the arrays involved are Riordan arrays. Direct links to the counting of Motzkin paths by different statistics emerge.
In this paper, we investigate the weighted Catalan, Motzkin and Schröder numbers together with the corresponding weighted paths. The relation between these numbers is illustrated by three equations, which also lead to some known and new interesting identities. To show these three equations, we provide combinatorial proofs. One byproduct is to find a bijection between two sets of Catalan paths: one consisting of those with $k$ valleys, and the other consisting of $k$ $\mathbf{N}$ steps in even positions.
It is shown that Bernoulli numbers and tangent numbers (the derivatives of the tangent function at zero) can be obtained by means of easily defined triangles of numbers in several ways, some of them very similar to the Catalan triangle and a Motzkin-like triangle. Our starting point in order to show this is a new expression of Zeta(2n) involving Motzkin paths.
We introduce a class of sequences, defined by means of partial Bell polynomials, that contains a basis for the space of linear recurrence sequences with constant coefficients as well as other well-known sequences like Catalan and Motzkin. For the family of `Bell sequences' considered in this paper, we give a general multifold convolution formula and illustrate our result with a few explicit examples.
Parking Cascades: From the Simplest Sequence to Motzkin and Catalan
Fitchburg State University（菲奇堡州立大学）；Missouri Western State University（密苏里西部州立大学）；University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee（威斯康星大学密尔沃基分校）；Hollins University（霍金斯大学）；University of Colorado Denver（科罗拉多大学丹佛分校）
A 3-dimensional Catalan word is a word on three letters so that the subword on any two letters is a Dyck path. For a given Dyck path $D$, a recently defined statistic counts the number of Catalan words with the property that any subword on two letters is exactly $D$. In this paper, we enumerate Dyck paths with this statistic equal to certain values, including all primes. The formulas obtained are in terms of Motzkin numbers and Motzkin ballot numbers.
We provide new interpretations for a subset of Raney numbers, involving threshold sequences and Motzkin-like paths with long up and down steps. Given three integers n, k, l such that n >= 1, k >= 2 and 0 <= l <= k-2, a (k,l)-threshold sequence of length n is any strictly increasing sequence S=(s_1 s_2 ... s_n) of integers such that ki <= s_i <= kn+l. These sequences are in bijection with ordered (l+1)-tuples of k-ary trees. We prove this result and identify the Raney numbers that count the (k,l)-threshold sequences. As a consequence, when k=2 and k=3, we deduce combinatorial identities involvi…
We present a higher genus generalization of $bc$-Motzkin numbers, which are themselves a generalization of Catalan numbers, and we derive a recursive formula which can be used to calculate them. Further, we show that this leads to a topological recursion which is identical to the topological recursion that had previously been proved by Dumitrescu and Mulase for generalized Catalan numbers, and which is an example of the Eynard-Orantin topological recursion.
A partial Motzkin path is a path from $(0, 0)$ to $(n, k)$ in the $XOY$-plane that does not go below the $X$-axis and consists of up steps $U=(1, 1)$, down steps $D=(1, -1)$ and horizontal steps $H=(1, 0)$. A weighted partial Motzkin path is a partial Motzkin path with the weight assignment that all up steps and down steps are weighted by 1, the horizontal steps are endowed with a weight $x$ if they are lying on $X$-axis, and endowed with a weight $y$ if they are not lying on $X$-axis. Denote by $M_{n,k}(x, y)$ to be the weight function of all weighted partial Motzkin paths from $(0, 0)$ to $(…
Heaps of rhombic dodecahedra, catalan congruences on alternating sign matrices, and bases of the Temperley-Lieb algebra
LISN (UMR CNRS 9015), Université Paris Saclay, INRIA, CNRS（巴黎萨克雷大学）；Universitat de Barcelona & Centre de Recerca Matemàtica（巴塞罗那大学）；LIGM, Université Gustave Eiffel（巴黎东马恩拉瓦莱大学）
Based on a $q$-congruence of the author and Petrov, we set up a $q$-analogue of Sun--Tauraso's congruence for sums of Catalan numbers, which extends a $q$-congruence due to Tauraso.
We provide some variations on the Greene-Krammer's identity which involve q-Catalan numbers. Our method reveals a curious analogy between these new identities and some congruences modulo a prime.
We provide enumerating results for partial knight's paths of a given size. We prove algebraically that zigzag knight's paths of a given size ending on the $x$-axis are enumerated by the generalized Catalan numbers, and we give a constructive bijection with peakless Motzkin paths of a given length. After enumerating partial knight's paths of a given length, we prove that zigzag knight's paths of a given length ending on the $x$-axis are counted by the Catalan numbers. Finally, we give a constructive bijection with Dyck paths of a given length.
This article introduces and investigates a refinement of alternating sign trapezoids by means of Catalan objects and Motzkin paths. Alternating sign trapezoids are a generalisation of alternating sign triangles, which were recently introduced by Ayyer, Behrend and Fischer. We show that the number of alternating sign trapezoids associated with a Catalan object (resp. Motzkin path) is a polynomial function in the length of the shorter base of the trapezoid. We also study the rational roots of the polynomials and formulate several conjectures and derive some partial results. Lastly, we deduce a c…
In this paper we show that many well-known counting coefficients, including the Catalan numbers, the Motzkin numbers, the central binomial coefficients, the central Delannoy numbers are Hausdorff moment sequences in a unified approach. In particular we answer a conjecture of Liang at al. which such numbers have unique representing measures. The smallest interval including the support of representing measure is explicitly found. Subsequences of Catalan-like numbers are also considered. We provide a necessary and sufficient condition for a pattern of subsequences that if sequences are the Stielt…
We give a combinatorial interpretation of a matrix identity on Catalan numbers and the sequence $(1, 4, 4^2, 4^3, ...)$ which has been derived by Shapiro, Woan and Getu by using Riordan arrays. By giving a bijection between weighted partial Motzkin paths with an elevation line and weighted free Motzkin paths, we find a matrix identity on the number of weighted Motzkin paths and the sequence $(1, k, k^2, k^3, ...)$ for any $k \geq 2$. By extending this argument to partial Motzkin paths with multiple elevation lines, we give a combinatorial proof of an identity recently obtained by Cameron and N…
During the study of dual sequences, Sun introduced the polynomials \[ D_n(x,y)=\sum_{k=0}^{n}{n\choose k}{x\choose k}y^k\text{ and } S_n(x,y)=\sum_{k=0}^{n}\binom{n}{k}\binom{x}{k}\binom{-1-x}{k} y^k. \] Many related congruences have been established and conjectured by Sun. Here we generalize some of them by determining \[ \sum_{k=0}^{p-1}D_k(x_1,y_1)D_k(x_2,y_2)\pmod p \text{ and } \sum_{k=0}^{p-1}S_k(x_1,y_1)S_k(x_2,y_2)\pmod p \] for any odd prime $p$ and $p$-adic integers $x_i,\ y_i$ with $i\in\{1,2\}$. Considering the immediate connection between binomial coefficients and Catalan numbers,…
A combinatorial structure, $\mathcal{F}$, with counting sequence $\{a_n\}_{n\ge 0}$ and ordinary generating function $G_\mathcal{F}=\sum_{n\ge0} a_n x^n$, is positive algebraic if $G_\mathcal{F}$ satisfies a polynomial equation $G_\mathcal{F}=\sum_{k=0}^N p_k(x)\,G_\mathcal{F}^k $ and $p_k(x)$ is a polynomial in $x$ with non-negative integer coefficients. We show that every such family is associated with a normed $\mathbf{n}$-magma. An $\mathbf{n}$-magma with $\mathbf{n}=(n_1,\dots, n_k)$ is a pair $\mathcal{M}$ and $\mathcal{F}$ where $\mathcal{M}$ is a set of combinatorial structures and $\m…
Let p be any odd prime. We mainly show that $$\sum_{k=1}^{p-1}binomial(3k,k)*2^k/k=0 (mod p)$$ and $$\sum_{k=1}^{p-1}2^{k-1}C_k^{(2)}=(-1)^{(p-1)/2}-1 (mod p),$$ where $C_k^{(2)}=binomial(3k,k)/(2k+1)$ is the $k$th Catalan number of order 2.
Let $\{P_n\}$ be the Catalan-Larcombe-French numbers given by $P_0=1,\ P_1=8$ and $n^2P_n=8(3n^2-3n+1)P_{n-1}-128(n-1)^2P_{n-2}$ $(n\ge 2)$, and let $S_n=P_n/2^n$. In this paper we deduce congruences for $S_{mp^r}\pmod{p^{r+2}}$, $S_{mp^r-1}\pmod{p^r}$ and $S_{mp^r+1}\pmod{p^{2r}}$, where $p$ is an odd prime and $m,r$ are positive integers. We also prove that $S_{(p^2-1)/2}\equiv 0\pmod {p^2}$ for any prime $p\equiv 5,7\pmod 8$, and show that $\{S_m\}$ is log-convex.
We study the properties of the odd Catalan numbers, C_n, modulo 2^k for k >= 2. We show that there exist only k - 1 different congruences of the odd Catalan numbers modulo 2^k. Moreover, these congruences can be obtained by C_{2^m - 1} (mod 2^k) for m = 1, 2, ..., k - 1.
Let $\{f_n\}$ be the Franel numbers given by $f_n=\sum_{k=0}^n\binom nk^3$, and let $p>5$ be a prime. In this paper we mainly determine $\sum_{k=0}^{p-1} \binom{2k}k\frac{f_k}{m^k}\pmod p$ for $m=5,-16,16,32,-49,50,96$. Let $S_n=\sum_{k=0}^n\binom nk\binom{2k}k\binom{2n-2k}{n-k}$. We also determine $\sum_{k=0}^{p-1} \binom{2k}k\frac{S_k}{m^k}\pmod p$ for $m=7,16,25,32,64,160,800,1600, 156832$.
We give a new Jacobi--Trudi-type formula for characters of finite-dimensional irreducible representations in type $C_n$ using characters of the fundamental representations and non-intersecting lattice paths. We give equivalent determinant formulas for the decomposition multiplicities for tensor powers of the spin representation in type $B_n$ and the exterior representation in type $C_n$. This gives a combinatorial proof of an identity of Katz and equates such a multiplicity with the dimension of an irreducible representation in type $C_n$. By taking certain specializations, we obtain identitie…
We confirm a conjectural supercongruence involving Catalan numbers, which is one of the 100 selected open conjectures on congruences of Sun. The proof makes use of hypergeometric series identities and symbolic summation method.
For $p$ an odd prime and $F$ the cyclic group of order $p$, we show that the number of conjugacy classes of embeddings of $F$ in $SU(p)$ such that no element of $F$ has 1 as an eigenvalue is $(1+C_{p-1})/p$, where $C_{p-1}$ is a Catalan number. We prove that the only coset space $SU(p)/F$ that admits a $p$-local $H$-structure is the classical Lie group $PSU(p)$. We also show that $SU(4)/\mathbb Z_3$, where $\mathbb Z_3$ is embedded off the center of $SU(4)$, is a novel example of an $H$-space, even globally. We apply our results to the study of homotopy classes of maps from $BF$ to $BSU(n)$.
In this paper, we study pattern avoidances of generalized permutations and show that the number of all generalized permutations avoiding $π$ is independent of the choice of $π\in S_3$, which extends the classic results on permutations avoiding $π\in S_3$. Extending both Dyck path and Riordan path, we introduce the Catalan-Riordan path which turns out to be a combinatorial interpretation of the difference array of Catalan numbers. As applications, we interpret both Motzkin and Riordan numbers in two ways, via semistandard Young tableaux of two rows and generalized permutations avoiding $π\in S_…
Let $p$ be a prime and let $a$ be a positive integer. In this paper we investigate $\sum_{k=0}^{p^a-1}\binom[(h+1)k,k+d]/m^k$ modulo a prime $p$, where $d$ and $m$ are integers with $-h<d<=p^a$ and $m\not=0 (mod p)$. We also study congruences involving higher-order Catalan numbers $C_k^{(h)}=\binom[(h+1)k,k]/(hk+1)$ and $\bar C_k^{(h)}=\binomal[(h+1)k,k]*h/(k+1)$. Our tools include linear recurrences and the theory of cubic residues. Here are some typical results in the paper. (i) If $p^a=1 (mod 6)$ then $$\sum_{k=1}^{p^a-1}\binom[3k,k]/6^k=2^{(p^a-1)/3}-1 (mod p).$$ Also, $$\sum_{k=0}^{p^a-1}…
Many combinatorial sequences (for example, the Catalan and Motzkin numbers) may be expressed as the constant term of $P(x)^k Q(x)$, for some Laurent polynomials $P(x)$ and $Q(x)$ in the variable $x$ with integer coefficients. Denoting such a sequence by $a_k$, we obtain a general formula that determines the congruence class, modulo $p$, of the indefinite sum $\sum_{k=0}^{rp -1} a_k$, for {\it any} prime $p$, and any positive integer $r$, as a linear combination of sequences that satisfy linear recurrence (alias difference) equations with constant coefficients. This enables us (or rather, our c…
The central component of a polygon triangulation is defined as the triangle or diameter that contain its geometric center. More generally, every polygon dissection contains a central component. Using this notion, we derive new recurrences for the Catalan and $k$-Catalan numbers, and use these recursions to prove congruence relations of these numbers. We also enumerate the triangulations that contain a fixed vertex in their central components.
In a recent beautiful but technical article, William Y.C. Chen, Qing-Hu Hou, and Doron Zeilberger developed an algorithm for finding and proving congruence identities (modulo primes) of indefinite sums of many combinatorial sequences, namely those (like the Catalan and Motzkin sequences) that are expressible in terms of constant terms of powers of Laurent polynomials. We first give a leisurely exposition of their elementary but brilliant approach, and then extend it in two directions. The Laurent polynomials may be of several variables, and instead of single sums we have multiple sums. In fact…
In this paper we establish some new congruences involving central binomial coefficients as well as Catalan numbers. Let $p$ be a prime and let $a$ be any positive integer. We determine $\sum_{k=0}^{p^a-1}\binom{2k}{k+d}$ mod $p^2$ for $d=0,...,p^a$ and $\sum_{k=0}^{p^a-1}\binom{2k}{k+δ}$ mod $p^3$ for $δ=0,1$. We also show that $$C_n^{-1}\sum_{k=0}^{p^a-1}C_{p^an+k}=1-3(n+1)((p^a-1)/3) (mod p^2)$$ for every n=0,1,2,..., where $C_m$ is the Catalan number $\binom{2m}{m}/(m+1)$, and (-) is the Legendre symbol.
We present a method for obtaining congruences modulo powers of 3 for sequences given by recurrences of finite depth with polynomial coefficients. We apply this method to Catalan numbers, Motzkin numbers, Riordan numbers, Schröder numbers, Eulerian numbers, trinomial coefficients, Delannoy numbers, and to functions counting free subgroups of finite index in the inhomogeneous modular group and its lifts. This leads to numerous new results, including many extensions of known results to higher powers of 3.
We show how Andrews' generating functions for generalized Frobenius partitions can be understood within the theory of Eichler and Zagier as specific coefficients of certain Jacobi forms. This reformulation leads to a recursive process which yields explicit formulas for the generalized Frobenius partition generating functions in terms of infinite $q$-products. In particular, we show that specific examples of our result easily reestablish previously known formulas, and we describe new congruences, both conjectural and proven, in additional cases. The modular structure of Jacobi forms indicates t…
We introduce an associative algebra $\M_k(x)$ whose dimension is the $2k$-th Motzkin number. The algebra $\M_k(x)$ has a basis of "Motzkin diagrams," which are analogous to Brauer and Temperley-Lieb diagrams, and it contains the Temperley-Lieb algebra $\TL_k(x)$ as a subalgebra. We prove that for a particular value of $x$, the algebra $\M_k(x)$ is the centralizer algebra of $\uqsl$ acting on the $k$-fold tensor power of the sum of the 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional irreducible $\uqsl$-modules. We show that $\M_k(x)$ is generated by special diagrams $\ell_i, t_i, r_i \ (1 \le i < k)$ and $p_j …
Certain famous combinatorial sequences, such as the Catalan numbers and the Motzkin numbers, when taken modulo a prime power, can be computed by finite automata. Many theorems about such sequences can therefore be proved using Walnut, which is an implementation of a decision procedure for proving various properties of automatic sequences. In this paper we explore some results (old and new) that can be proved using this method.
Rowland and Zeilberger devised an approach to algorithmically determine the modulo $p^r$ reductions of values of combinatorial sequences representable as constant terms (building on work of Rowland and Yassawi). The resulting $p$-schemes are systems of recurrences and, depending on their shape, are classified as automatic or linear. We revisit this approach, provide some additional details such as bounding the number of states, and suggest a third natural type of scheme that combines benefits of automatic and linear ones. We illustrate the utility of these "scaling" schemes by confirming and e…
Random walks are a series of up, down, and level steps that enumerate distinct paths from $(0,0)$ to $(2n,0)$, where $n$ is the semi-length of the path. We used these paths to analyze Catalan, Schröder, and Motzkin number sequences through a combination of matrix operations, quadratic functions, and inductive reasoning. Our results revealed a number of distinct patterns, some unnamed, between these number sequences and Pascal's triangle that can be explained through generating functions, first returns, group theory, and the Riordan matrix. Various proofs and properties of these number sequence…
In this paper, we consider a game beginning with a multiset of elements from a group. On a move, two elements are replaced by their sum. This is a no strategy game, and can be modeled as a graded poset with the rank of a node equal to the cardinality of its multiset. We study the enumerative properties of certain variations of this game, such as the number of ways to play them and their numbers of end states. This leads to several new sequences, as well as new interpretations of classic sequences such as those found in the Catalan and Motzkin triangles.
For any integer $k\geq2$, we prove combinatorially the following Euler (binomial) transformation identity $$ \NC_{n+1}^{(k)}(t)=t\sum_{i=0}^n{n\choose i}\NW_{i}^{(k)}(t), $$ where $\NC_{m}^{(k)}(t)$ (resp.~$\NW_{m}^{(k)}(t)$) is the sum of weights, $t^\text{number of blocks}$, of partitions of $\{1,\ldots,m\}$ without $k$-crossings (resp.~enhanced $k$-crossings). The special $k=2$ and $t=1$ case, asserting the Euler transformation of Motzkin numbers are Catalan numbers, was discovered by Donaghey 1977. The result for $k=3$ and $t=1$, arising naturally in a recent study of pattern avoidance in …
A sequence $\{z_n\}_{n\geq0}$ is called ratio log-convex in the sense that the ratio sequence $\{\frac{z_{n+1}}{z_n}\}_{n\geq0}$ is log-convex. Based on a three-term recurrence for sequences, we develop techniques for dealing with the ratio log-convexity of ratio sequences. As applications, we prove that the ratio sequences of numbers, including the derangement numbers, the Motzkin numbers, the Fine numbers, Franel numbers and the Domb numbers are ratio log-convex, respectively. Finally, we not only prove that the sequence of derangement numbers is asymptotically infinitely log-monotonic, but …
We present a method to obtain congruences modulo powers of 2 for sequences given by recurrences of finite depth with polynomial coefficients. We apply this method to Catalan numbers, Fuß-Catalan numbers, and to subgroup counting functions associated with Hecke groups and their lifts. This leads to numerous new results, including many extensions of known results to higher powers of 2.
We introduce the notion of infinitely log-monotonic sequences. By establishing a connection between completely monotonic functions and infinitely log-monotonic sequences, we show that the sequences of the Bernoulli numbers, the Catalan numbers and the central binomial coefficients are infinitely log-monotonic. In particular, if a sequence $\{a_n\}_{n\geq 0}$ is log-monotonic of order two, then it is ratio log-concave in the sense that the sequence $\{a_{n+1}/a_{n}\}_{n\geq 0}$ is log-concave. Furthermore, we prove that if a sequence $\{a_n\}_{n\geq k}$ is ratio log-concave, then the sequence $…
