PARTITIONS WITH PARTS IN A FINITE SET

Abstract

For a finite set A of positive integers, we study the partition function pA(n). This function enumerates the partitions of the positive integer n into parts in A. We give simple proofs of some known and unknown identities and congruences for pA(n). For n in a special residue class, pA(n) is a polynomial in n. We examine these polynomials for linear factors, and the results are applied to a restricted m-ary partition function. We extend the domain of pA and prove a reciprocity formula with supplement. In closing we consider an asymptotic formula for pA(n) and its refinement.