1. Polynomials Arising From Combinatorics
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Problem 1.1.
Determine the precise locations of the roots of Eulerian Polynomials. In particular, prove an outstanding conjecture of the asymptotic behavior of the largest root (and other roots).-
Remark. [Richard Stanley] What is the conjecture? The roots are well-known to be negative real numbers. The sum of the roots of the n-th Eulerian polynomial is -(2^n-n-1). Since there are only n roots, the largest root will be near 2^n. Similarly the second elementary symmetric function of the roots is of the order 3^n. Thus the second largest root is around (3/2)^n. The third largest root is around (4/3)^n, etc.
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Problem 1.2.
Let $D(\lambda)$ be the size of the Durfee square of $\lambda$. Define $D_n(x):=\sum_{\lambda\vdash n} x^{D(\lambda)}$. Prove or disprove that $D_n(x)$ has all real roots. -
Problem 1.3.
Study unimodality of families of palindromic polynomials via alternating $\gamma$-vectors. Some polynomials to consider are sums over partitions with distinct parts or ${n \choose k}_q$. -
Problem 1.4.
Define $\displaystyle\mathcal{A}_n(t) =\sum_{\lambda\vdash n}\prod_{\Box\in\lambda}\frac{h_{\Box}^2+t}{h_{\Box}}$ where $h_\Box$ is the hook length of $\Box$. Consider the problems:- Prove Unimodality
- Prove that $\mathcal{A}_n(t)$ has only negative real roots.
- Prove that $\mathcal{A}_n(t)$ has only simple negative real roots.
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Remark. In the first definition of the polynomials $A_n(t)$, the denominator must also be "squares".
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Problem 1.5.
Let $C(n,a,b,m)= {\rm ConstantTerm}_{x_1,\cdots,x_n}\left(\prod_{i=1}^{n}(1-x_i)^bx_i^{-a}\prod_{{1\leq i,j\leq n} \\ }(x_i-x_j)^{-m}\right)$. Morris’s identity is $C(n,a,b,m)=C(n,b+1,a-1,m)$.
Give a combinatorial proof of Morris’s identity.
Cite this as: AimPL: Polyhedral geometry and partition theory, available at http://aimpl.org/polypartition.