login
A323646
"Letter A" toothpick sequence (see Comments for precise definition).
4
0, 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 21, 27, 39, 53, 65, 71, 83, 97, 113, 131, 163, 197, 217, 223, 235, 249, 265, 283, 315, 349, 373, 391, 423, 461, 505, 567, 659, 741, 777, 783, 795, 809, 825, 843, 875, 909, 933, 951, 983, 1021, 1065, 1127, 1219, 1301, 1341, 1359, 1391, 1429, 1473, 1535, 1627, 1713, 1773, 1835, 1931
OFFSET
0,3
COMMENTS
This arises from a hybrid cellular automaton formed of toothpicks of length 2 and D-toothpicks of length 2*sqrt(2).
For the construction of the sequence the rules are as follows:
On the infinite square grid at stage 0 there are no toothpicks, so a(0) = 0.
For the next n generations we have that:
At stage 1 we place a toothpick of length 2 in the horizontal direction, centered at [0,0], so a(1) = 1.
If n is even we add D-toothpicks. Each new D-toothpick must have its midpoint touching the endpoint of exactly one existing toothpick.
If the x-coordinate of the middle point of the D-toothpick is negative then the D-toothpick must be placed in the NE-SW direction.
If the x-coordinate of the middle point of the D-toothpick is positive then the D-toothpick must be placed in the NW-SE direction.
If n is odd we add toothpicks in horizontal direction. Each new toothpick must have its midpoint touching the endpoint of exactly one existing D-toothpick.
The sequence gives the number of toothpicks and D-toothpicks after n stages.
A323647 (the first differences) gives the number of elements added at the n-th stage.
Note that if n >> 1 at the end of every cycle the structure looks like a "volcano", or in other words, the structure looks like a trapeze which is almost an isosceles right triangle.
The "word" of this cellular automaton is "ab". For more information about the word of cellular automata see A296612.
FORMULA
a(n) = 1 + A160730(n-1), n >= 1.
a(n) = 1 + 2*A168112(n-1), n >= 1.
EXAMPLE
After two generations the structure looks like a letter "A" which is formed by a initial I-toothpick (or a toothpick of length 2), placed in horizontal direction, and two D-toothpicks each of length 2*sqrt(2) as shown below, so a(2) = 3.
Note that angle between both D-toothpicks is 90 degrees.
.
*
* *
* * * * *
* *
* *
.
After three generations the structure contains three horizontal toothpicks and two D-toothpicks as shown below, so a(3) = 5.
.
*
* *
* * * * *
* *
* * * * * * * * * *
.
CROSSREFS
KEYWORD
nonn
AUTHOR
Omar E. Pol, Mar 07 2019
STATUS
approved