Mathematicians at the University of Florida solved a 30-year-old mathematics problem with the use of the theory
Question:
Mathematicians at the University of Florida solved a 30-year-old mathematics problem with the use of the theory of partitions (Explore, Fall 2000). In mathematical terminology, a partition is a representation of an integer as a sum of positive integers. (For example, the number 3 has three possible partitions: 3, 2 + 1, and 1 + 1 + 1.) The researchers solved the problem by using “colored partitions” of a number, where the colors correspond to the four suits—red hearts, red diamonds, black spades, and black clubs—in a standard 52-card bridge deck. Consider forming colored partitions of an integer.
a. How many colored partitions of the number 3 are possible? One partition is 3; another is 2 + 1.
b. How many colored partitions of the number 5 are possible?
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