The partial-fractions method for counting solutions to integral linear systems

Let $P$ be a polytope with rational vertices. A classical theorem of Ehrhart states that the number of lattice points in the dilations $P(n) = nP$ is a quasi-polynomial in $n$. We generalize this theorem by allowing the vertices of P(n) to be arbitrary rational functions in $n$. In this case we prove that the number of lattice points in P(n) is a quasi-polynomial for $n$ sufficiently large. Our work was motivated by a conjecture of Ehrhart on the number of solutions to parame...

Five simple guidelines are proposed to compute the generating function for the nonnegative integer solutions of a system of linear inequalities. In contrast to other approaches, the emphasis is on deriving recurrences. We show how to use the guidelines strategically to solve some nontrivial enumeration problems in the theory of partitions and compositions. This includes a strikingly different approach to lecture hall-type theorems, with new $q$-series identities arising in th...

We study the problem of counting lattice points of a polytope that are weighted by an Ehrhart quasi-polynomial of a family of parametric polytopes. As applications one can compute integrals and maximum values of such quasi-polynomials, as well as obtain new identities in representation theory. These topics have been of great interest to Mich\`ele Vergne since the late 1980's. Our new contribution is a result that transforms weighted sums into unweighted sums, even when the we...

We deal with the problem to find the number $P(b)$ of integer non-negative solutions of an equation $\sum_{i=1}^{n} a_i x_i=b$, where $a_1,a_2,...,a_n$ are natural numbers and $b$ is a non-negative integer. As different from the traditional methods of investigation of the function $P(b)$, in our study we do not employ the techniques of number series theory, but use in the main the properties of the Kronecker function and the elements of combinatorics. The formula is derived t...

We generalize Ehrhart's idea of counting lattice points in dilated rational polytopes: Given a rational simplex, that is, an n-dimensional polytope with n+1 rational vertices, we use its description as the intersection of n+1 halfspaces, which determine the facets of the simplex. Instead of just a single dilation factor, we allow different dilation factors for each of these facets. We give an elementary proof that the lattice point counts in the interior and closure of such a...

Given relatively prime positive integers, $a_1,\ldots,a_n$, the Frobenius number is the largest integer with no representations of the form $a_1x_1+\cdots+a_nx_n$ with nonnegative integers $x_i$. This classical value has recently been generalized: given a nonnegative integer $k$, what is the largest integer with at most $k$ such representations? Other classical values can be generalized too: for example, how many nonnegative integers are representable in at most $k$ ways? For...

This paper presents an algorithm to compute the value of the inverse Laplace transforms of rational functions with poles on arrangements of hyperplanes. As an application, we present an efficient computation of the partition function for classical root systems.

Integer programming is concerned with solving linear systems of equations over the non-negative integers. The basic question is to find a solution which minimizes a given linear objective function for a fixed right hand side. Here we also consider parametric versions where the objective function and the right hand side are allowed to vary. The main emphasis is on Gr\"obner bases, rational generating functions, and how to use existing software packages. Concrete applications t...

Solutions to a linear Diophantine system, or lattice points in a rational convex polytope, are important concepts in algebraic combinatorics and computational geometry. The enumeration problem is fundamental and has been well studied, because it has many applications in various fields of mathematics. In algebraic combinatorics, MacMahon's partition analysis has become a general approach for linear Diophantine system related problems. Many algorithms have been developed, but "...

We give new proofs of three theorems of Stanley on generating functions for the integer points in rational cones. The first, Stanley's reciprocity theorem, relates the rational generating functions for the integer points in a cone K and for those in its interior. The second, Stanley's Positivity theorem asserts that the generating function of the Ehrhart quasipolynomial of a rational polytope P can be written as a rational function with nonnegative numerator. The third, Stanl...