7
$\begingroup$

Let $C_n=\frac1{n+1}\binom{2n}n$ be the Catalan numbers. Recall, in particular, that $C_n$ is odd iff $n=2^h-1$. A combinatorial proof is given by Deutsch and Sagan in Congruences for Catalan and Motzkin numbers and related sequences and further extended by Postnikov and Sagan in What power of two divides a weighted Catalan number?.

Let's introduce the sequence $T_n=\frac2{n(n+1)}\binom{4n+1}{n-1}$ which enumerates intervals of the so-called Tamari lattice (see Bousquet-Mélou, Fusy, and Ratelle - The number of intervals in the m-Tamari lattices) (also counting triangular maps).

It is rather simple to prove the following using basic arithmetic means.

QUESTION. Can you provide a combinatorial justification that $T_n$ is odd if $n=2^h-1$?

$\endgroup$
2
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ More generally, odd values seem to appear for indices in oeis.org/A263133 . $\endgroup$
    – F. C.
    Commented Feb 27, 2021 at 8:17
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ There is a natural involution on Tamari intervals, namely reversal and exchange of bounds, with fixed points counted by 1, 1, 3, 4, 15, 22, 91, 140, 612, 969, 4389, 7084, 32890, 53820, ... One expects an instance of the q=-1 phenomenon for these numbers. $\endgroup$
    – F. C.
    Commented Feb 27, 2021 at 8:39

0

You must log in to answer this question.

Browse other questions tagged .