Arithmetic properties of the Nörlund polynomial \(B_n^{(x)}\) (Q1300962)

The Nörlund polynomials \(B_n^{(x)}\) are rational polynomials in \(x\) of degree \(n\) defined by the generating function \(t^x/(e^t-1)^x\). The author proves, for any prime \(p\), that \((mp)!B_n^{(x)}/n!\) has \(p\)-adic integer coefficients not all divisible by \(p\) (Theorem 1). Here \(m\) is the integer part of \(\frac n{p-1}\). He also finds a Kummer type congruence mod \(p\) for \(B_n^{(x)}\), with denominators cleared, in terms of lower degree Nörlund polynomials (Theorem 3). Both these theorems have several smooth corollaries. Applications are also made for the Stirling polynomials of both kinds. Previously, \textit{L. Carlitz} [Math. Nachr. 33, 297-311 (1967; Zbl 0154.29301)] had proved Theorem 1 for \(p=2\) and a related but weaker result for \(p>2\); also he had proved a special case of Theorem 3 for \(p=2\). The present work is methodically different, relying on a formula that expresses \(B_n^{(x)}\) as a sum with explicitly given terms.