Exercise · ZW-PARTITION-GENERATING-FUNCTION-003 · ★☆☆ Basic

Which coefficient in the expansion of \(\prod_{k\ge1}\frac{1}{1-x^k}\) equals \(p(3)\)?

Choose one option.

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  • D. the coefficient of \(x^3\)

Explanation

The coefficient of \(x^n\) is \(p(n)\), so \(p(3)\) is the coefficient of \(x^3\). Using the previous exponent or the constant term does not correspond to \(n=3\).

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Review the concept: Partition generating function

The partition generating function is the formal series \(\sum_{n\ge 0} p(n)\,x^n\), where \(p(n)\) counts the partitions of the integer \(n\).

\[\sum_{n\ge 0} p(n)x^n=\prod_{k\ge 1}\frac{1}{1-x^k}\]

More practice problems: partition generating function

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