Deducing the positive odd density of \(p(n)\) from that of a multipartition function: an unconditional proof (Q1981597)

Let \(p(n)\) denote the number of partitions of a positive integer \(n\). Define the odd density of \(p(n)\) by \[\lim_{x\rightarrow \infty}\frac{\#\{n\leq x: p(n)\ \mbox{is odd}\}}{x},\] if this limit exists. A famous conjecture of \textit{T. R. Parkin} and \textit{D. Shanks} [Math. Comput. 21, 466--480 (1967; Zbl 0149.28501)] asserts that \(p(n)\) has odd density \(1/2\). This problem has been investigated by a number of scholars, however, even showing this density is positive seems out of reach. In general, let \(p_{t}(n)\) denote the number of multipartitions of \(n\) (\(t\)-tuples of partitions where the sum of all parts is \(n\). In particular, \(p(n)=p_{1}(n)\)). Define the odd density of \(p_t(n)\) by \[\delta_t=\lim_{x\rightarrow \infty}\frac{\#\{n\leq x: p_t(n)\ \mbox{is odd}\}}{x},\] if this limit exists. In particular, \(\delta_1\) is the odd density of \(p(n)\). \textit{S. D. Judge} et al. [Ann. Comb. 22, No. 3, 583--600 (2018; Zbl 1440.11195)] conjectured that for all odd positive values of \(t\), \(\delta_t\) exists and equals \(1/2\) as well. Unfortunately, similar to the case \(t=1\), proving that \(\delta_t\) exists and is positive is still very difficult for any \(t\). In a subsequent paper, \textit{S. D. Judge} and \textit{F. Zanello} [J. Number Theory 188, 357--370 (2018; Zbl 1440.11196)] introduced a new approach to the study of the parity of \(p(n)\). They predicted the existence of a doubly-indexed, infinite family of identities modulo 2, which strikingly related \(p(n)\) to the other multipartition functions. Recently, \textit{S.-C. Chen} [J. Number Theory 225, 198--213 (2021; Zbl 1479.11178)] proved an important infinite case of this conjecture, however, this conjecture remains open in full generality. A consequence to this conjecture is as follows: Conjecture: \begin{itemize} \item{(i)} Fix any positive integer \(t \equiv \pm 1 \pmod 6\), and suppose \(\delta_i\) exists for all \(i\leq t\), \(i\equiv \pm 1 \pmod 6\). If \(\delta_t>0\), then \(\delta_1>0\). \item{(ii)} Fix any positive integer \(t \equiv 3 \pmod 6\), and suppose \(\delta_i\) exists for all \(i\leq t\), \(i\equiv 3 \pmod 6\). If \(\delta_t>0\), then \(\delta_3>0\). \end{itemize} In the paper under review, the author provide an unconditional proof of this conjecture for all \(t\). The proof is by induction on \(t\). S. C. Chen's recent result plays an important role to prove the conjecture.