arXiv · 2609.22303
Admissible $qx+1$ Sequences, Semiconvergents, and Rational Catalan Numbers
Abstract
For an odd integer \(q\geq3\), let \(a_q(r)\) count finite words in \(\{q/2,1/2\}\) containing exactly \(r\) factors \(q/2\), with every proper prefix product greater than \(1\) and total product less than \(1\). For \(q=3,5,7\), these are OEIS \OEIS{A100982}, \OEIS{A174795}, and \OEIS{A174796}. Put \[ α_q=\log_2q,\qquad m_r(q)=\lfloor rα_q\rfloor. \] Using the classical cycle lemma in this \(q\)-specific setting, we recover the two natural Beatty passage bounds \[ \frac1r\binom{m_r(q)-1}{r-1} \leq a_q(r)\leq \frac1r\binom{m_r(q)}{r-1}, \] and prove their equality criteria directly. The lower and upper equality orders are the denominators of the strict lower and upper one-sided best approximations to \(\log_2q\); together they are the denominators of all convergents and semiconvergents. Equivalently, they are the strict record minima and maxima of the binary mantissas \(q^r/2^{m_r(q)}\). At every nontrivial equality order, the admissible words are in explicit bijection with rational Dyck paths, so that \(a_q(r)\) is a rational Catalan number. We also prove monotonicity in \(q\), compare the three OEIS sequences, and derive their growth constants and exact normalized oscillations.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Mike Winkler. 2026-09-14. Admissible $qx+1$ Sequences, Semiconvergents, and Rational Catalan Numbers. https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.22303
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.