Selberg integrals, Askey–Wilson polynomials and lozenge tilings of a hexagon with a triangular hole

Abstract

We obtain an explicit formula for a certain weighted enumeration of lozenge tilings of a hexagon with an arbitrary triangular hole. The complexity of our expression depends on the distance from the hole to the center of the hexagon. This proves and generalizes conjectures of Ciucu et al., who considered the case of plain enumeration when the triangle is located at or very near the center. Our proof uses Askey–Wilson polynomials as a tool to relate discrete and continuous Selberg-type integrals.