Result on partitions with distinct odd parts

abstract-algebragenerating-functionsinteger-partitionsnumber theory

Let $pdo(n)$ be the number of partitions of n into distinct odd parts. Then $p(n)$ is odd if and only if $pdo(n)$ is odd.

I am well aware that a proof of this is available here but I want to do it algebraically using generating functions.

So $pdo(n)$ $=$ ${\displaystyle \prod_{i=odd} (1+x^i)}$

I know that I can do this by showing that $pdo(n)$ $\equiv$ $p(n)$ $\mod 2$ but I am not sure how I can do that. Any hint or help would be appreciated.

Best Answer

You have g.f. $$\prod_{i=0}^\infty (1 + x^{2i+1})$$ for partitions into distinct odd parts. The g.f. for general partitions is $$\frac{1}{\prod_{i=1}^\infty(1 - x^i)}$$ So $pdo(n) \equiv p(n) \pmod 2$ iff $$\prod_{i=0}^\infty (1 + x^{2i+1}) - \frac{1}{\prod_{i=1}^\infty(1 - x^i)}$$ has only even coefficients.

Now, $$ \begin{eqnarray} \prod_{i=0}^\infty (1 + x^{2i+1}) - \frac{1}{\prod_{i=1}^\infty(1 - x^i)} &=& \frac{\prod_{i=1}^\infty (1 + x^i)}{\prod_{i=1}^\infty (1 + x^{2i})} - \frac{1}{\prod_{i=1}^\infty(1 - x^i)} \\ &=& \frac{\prod_{i=1}^\infty (1 + x^i)\prod_{i=1}^\infty(1 - x^i) - \prod_{i=1}^\infty (1 + x^{2i})}{\prod_{i=1}^\infty (1 + x^{2i})\prod_{i=1}^\infty(1 - x^i)} \\ &=& \frac{\prod_{i=1}^\infty (1 - x^{2i}) - \prod_{i=1}^\infty (1 + x^{2i})}{\prod_{i=1}^\infty (1 + x^{2i})(1 - x^i)} \\ \end{eqnarray} $$

Is that enough to say something about the parity of the coefficients?