Enumeration of Restricted Words and Linear Recurrence Equations

Abstract

In previous papers, for an arithmetical function $f_0$, we defined functions $f_m$ and $c_m$ and designated numbers of restricted words over a finite alphabet counted by these functions. In this paper, we examine the reverse problem for five specific types of restricted words. Namely, we find the initial function $f_0$ such that $f_m$ and $c_m$ enumerate these words. In each case, we derive explicit formulas for $f_m$ and $c_m$. Fibonacci, Merssen, Pell, Jacosthal, Tribonacci, and Padovan numbers all appear as values of $f_m$, so we obtain new formulas for these numbers. Also, we combinatorially derive explicit formulas for the solutions of five types of homogenous linear recurrence equations.