Exercise · ZW-PENTAGONAL-NUMBER-THEOREM-006 · ★★☆ Intermediate

Compute the coefficient of \(x^{7}\) in \(\prod_{n\ge1}(1-x^n)\) using the pentagonal number theorem.

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • A. +1

Explanation

The 7 is generalized pentagonal with \(k=-2\), since \((-2)(-7)/2=7\), and its sign is \((-1)^{-2}=+1\). So the coefficient of \(x^{7}\) is \(+1\).

Study Enumerative combinatorics in ZWMath →

Review the concept: Pentagonal number theorem

Euler's pentagonal number theorem states that the product \(\prod_{n\ge1}(1-x^n)\) equals an alternating sum of powers of \(x\) indexed by generalized pentagonal numbers.

\[\prod_{n\ge1}(1-x^n)=\sum_{k=-\infty}^{\infty}(-1)^k x^{k(3k-1)/2}\]

More practice problems: pentagonal number theorem

← ZW-PENTAGONAL-NUMBER-THEOREM-005 ZW-PENTAGONAL-NUMBER-THEOREM-007 →