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A356037
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Conjecturally, a(n) is the smallest number m such that every natural number is a sum of at most m n-simplex numbers.
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OFFSET
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1,2
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COMMENTS
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n-simplex numbers are {binomial(k,n); k>=n}.
This problem is the simplex number analog of Waring's problem.
a(2) = 3 was proposed by Fermat and proved by Gauss, see A061336.
Pollock conjectures that a(3) = 5. Salzer and Levine prove this for numbers up to 452479659. See A104246 and A000797.
Kim gives a(4)=8, a(5)=10, a(6)=13 and a(7)=15 (not proved).
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LINKS
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EXAMPLE
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2-simplex numbers are {binomial(k,2); k>=2} = {1,3,6,10,...}, the triangular numbers. 3 is the smallest number m such that every natural number is a sum of at most m triangular numbers. So a(2)=3.
3-simplex numbers are {binomial(k,3); k>=3} = {1,4,10,20,...}, the tetrahedral numbers. 5 is presumed to be the smallest number m such that every natural number is a sum of at most m tetrahedral numbers. So a(3)=5.
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CROSSREFS
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KEYWORD
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nonn,hard,more
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AUTHOR
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STATUS
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approved
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