Generating Function for Partitions

When I was at the ARML Power Contest, I came upon question 11 which stated: Explain why the number of partitions of nn into all different parts is given by the coefficient of xnx^{n} in the expansion of the product (1+x)(1+x2)(1+x3)...(1+xn)\left(1+x\right)\left(1+x^{2}\right)\left(1+x^{3}\right)...\left(1+x^{n}\right).

The answer explains how, when the product is expanded but like terms are not collected, each different term that is xnx^{n} is formed from adding the powers of several terms from the initial semi-factored form.

I was wondering, does anybody know if there's a generating function or regular old function for the total number of partitions a number can be split into? I tried finding one in terms of sigma, then started working on a Python solution, but it doesn't seem like there is. The formulas I used had to do with combinations and even the same kind of logic that is used to determine the number of ways a certain number can be rolled using any number of dice. If an experienced computer scientist can come up with a great Python or Java version, that would be great also.

Thanks,

Tristan Shin

Note by Tristan Shin
7 years, 5 months ago

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Comments

For regular partitions, the generating function is 1(1−x)(1−x2)(1−x3)⋯.\frac{1}{(1 - x)(1 - x^2)(1 - x^3) \dotsm}. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partition%28numbertheory%29

Jon Haussmann - 7 years, 5 months ago

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Thanks! It seems that just a little bit of manipulation can cause wonderful generating functions!

Tristan Shin - 7 years, 5 months ago
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