q-Catalan numbers (Q1068084)

Let \(C_ n\) be the set of Catalan words: binary words with n zeros and n ones such that each initial segment has at least as many zeros and ones. For \(w\in C_ n\), let d(w) be the number of descents, a(w) be the sum over all descents of the number of zeros to the left, b(w) be the sum over all descents of the number of ones to the left. Let \(C_ n(x,y,z)\) be the sum over \(w\in C_ n\) of \(x^{d(w)} y^{a(w)} z^{b(w)}\). The authors evaluate this function for several different specializations of the parameters and show that it includes the q-Catalan numbers of \textit{L. Carlitz} and \textit{J. Riordan} [Duke J. Math. 31, 371-388 (1964; Zbl 0126.263)] and of Polya and \textit{I. Gessel} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 257, 455- 482 (1980; Zbl 0459.05014)].