Exercise · ZW-PARTITION-GENERATING-FUNCTION-004 · ★☆☆ Basic

What factor does the part of size \(k\) contribute to the generating function?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • C. \(\frac{1}{1-x^k}\)

Explanation

Each part of size \(k\) can repeat any number of times, which sums a geometric series in \(x^k\). Writing \(1-x^k\) inverts the idea of repetition.

Study Enumerative combinatorics in ZWMath →

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

← ZW-PARTITION-GENERATING-FUNCTION-003 ZW-PARTITION-GENERATING-FUNCTION-005 →