Exercise · ZW-PARTITION-GENERATING-FUNCTION-005 · ★☆☆ Basic

What is the coefficient of \(x^2\) in \(\prod_{k\ge1}\frac{1}{1-x^k}\)?

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  • B. 2

Explanation

The partitions of 2 are two, so the coefficient of \(x^2\) is 2. Counting only \(2\) gives 1, and counting \(1+1\) twice gives 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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