Durfee squares in compositions

Abstract

Abstract We study compositions (ordered partitions) of n. More particularly, our focus is on the bargraph representation of compositions which include or avoid squares of size s × s. We also extend the definition of a Durfee square (studied in integer partitions) to be the largest square which lies on the base of the bargraph representation of a composition (i.e., is ‘grounded’). Via generating functions and asymptotic analysis, we consider compositions of n whose Durfee squares are of size less than s × s. This is followed by a section on the total and average number of grounded s × s squares. We then count the number of Durfee squares in compositions of n.