11
$\begingroup$

Let $a_c(n)$ be the number of ways to partition a positive integer $n$ where each even part comes in $c$ colors. Then, we can supply the generating function $$\sum_{n\geq0}a_c(n)q^n=\prod_{k\geq1}\frac1{(1-q^k)(1-q^{2k})^{c-1}}.$$ In particular, $a_1(n)=p(n)$ is the usual number of (unrestricted) partitions of $n$; $a_2(n)$ is the so-called cubic partitions of $n$.

Example. $a_2(2)=\#\{{\color{red}2},2,11\}=3, a_2(4)=\#\{{\color{red}4},4,31,{\color{red}{22}},{\color{red}2}2,22,{\color{red}2}11,211,1111\}=9$.

Experiments suggest the below congruences.

QUESTION. Are these statements true?

$\bullet$ $a_2(3n+2)\equiv0\pmod 3$

$\bullet$ $a_4(5n+4)\equiv0\pmod 5$

$\bullet$ $a_3(7n+4)\equiv0\pmod 7$

$\bullet$ $a_5(11n+10)\equiv0\pmod{11}$.

$\endgroup$
4
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ This is very similar to Ramanujan's congruences. Have you tried to adapt a proof of those? $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 8, 2024 at 4:11
  • $\begingroup$ You are right, it seems the natural course but it is easier said than done. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 8, 2024 at 13:30
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ The modulo 3 result is proven in H.-C. Chan, Ramanujan’s cubic continued fraction and ananalog of his “most beautiful identity”, Int. J. Number Theory 6 no.3 (2010), 673–680. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 17, 2024 at 3:00
  • $\begingroup$ @BrianHopkins: thank you. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 27, 2024 at 15:57

1 Answer 1

2
$\begingroup$

Daniel Weber's comment provides a nice place to look for an answer to your question. I will provide an alternate approach.

One way to view congruences is through the lens of cranks. Essentially, for $p(n)$, the standard partition function, the crank splits the partitions of $5n+4$ into $5$ equally sized sets (also for the other two Ramanujan congruences.)

A pre-print from Rolan, Tripp, and Wagner, provides a starting point for a crank for the partitions you are describing. As Brian Hopkins pointed out, the mod $3$ result has been proven. Looking at Tables 2 and 3 of the pre-print, we see the mod $5$ and mod $7$ results.

For the mod $11$ result, one may consider the following Jacobi Form $$ \prod_{n=1}^\infty\frac{(1-q^n)}{(1-\zeta q^n)(1-\zeta^{-1} q^n)(1-\zeta^5 q^{2n})(1-\zeta^{-5} q^{2n})(1-\zeta^7 q^{2n})(1-\zeta^{-7} q^{2n})} $$ Where $q = e^{2 \pi i \tau}$ and $\zeta = e^{2 \pi i z}$ for $\tau,z \in \mathbb{H}$, the upper half complex plane. Can you (using some computer assistance) see that $$ \Phi_{11}(\zeta) = 1+\zeta+\zeta^2+\ldots+\zeta^{10} $$ divides the coefficient of $q^{11n+10}$?

$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.