Journal of Integer Sequences, Vol. 27 (2024), Article 24.3.3

Realizability of Some Combinatorial Sequences


Geng-Rui Zhang
School of Mathematical Sciences
Peking University
Beijing 10871
People's Republic of China

Abstract:

A sequence a = (an)n=1 of non-negative integers is called realizable if there is a self-map T : XX on a set X such that an is equal to the number of periodic points of T in X of (not necessarily exact) period n, for all n ≥ 1. The sequence a is called almost realizable if there exists a positive integer m such that (m an)n=1 is realizable. In this article, we show that certain wide classes of integer sequences are realizable, which contain many famous combinatorial sequences, such as the sequences of Apéry numbers of both kinds, central Delannoy numbers, Franel numbers, Domb numbers, Zagier numbers, and central trinomial coefficients. We also show that the sequences of Catalan numbers, Motzkin numbers, and large and small Schröder numbers are not almost realizable.


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(Concerned with sequences A000032 A000041 A000045 A000108 A000110 A000166 A000172 A000225 A000364 A000984 A001003 A001006 A001067 A001263 A001850 A002426 A002445 A002893 A002895 A005258 A005259 A005260 A005725 A006318 A006953 A053175 A054783 A062510 A081085 A122045 A226158.)


Received March 20 2023; revised versions received March 21 2023; February 26 2024. Published in Journal of Integer Sequences, February 28 2024.


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