Determinant formulas of some Toeplitz-Hessenberg matrices with Catalan entries (Q2422807): Difference between revisions

This paper concerns determinants of $n\times n$ Toeplitz-Hessenberg matrices in which the nonzero entries are from the famous sequence of Catalan numbers defined by $C_n=\binom{2n}{n}/(n+1)$. Define \[ \det(a_0;a_1,\dots,a_n)=\det \begin{bmatrix} a_1&a_0&0&\dots&0&0\\ a_2&a_1&a_0&\dots&0&0\\ a_3&a_2&a_1&\dots&0&0\\ \vdots&\vdots&\vdots&\ddots&\vdots&\vdots\\ a_{n-1}&a_{n-2}&a_{n-3}&\dots&a_1&a_0\\ a_{n}&a_{n-1}&a_{n-2}&\dots&a_2&a_1\\ \end{bmatrix}. \] The authors find formulae for determinants such as $\det(a;C_1,\dots,C_{n})$ and $\det(a;C_0,\dots,C_{n-1})$. These are used to find various identities involving Catalan numbers. The main results are proved using generating functions, although some formulae are then reproved by counting lattice paths.