Log-concavity and log-convexity via distributive lattices

Abstract

We prove a lemma, which we call the Order Ideal Lemma, that can be used to demonstrate a wide array of log-concavity and log-convexity results in a combinatorial manner using order ideals in distributive lattices. We use the Order Ideal Lemma to prove log-concavity and log-convexity of various sequences involving lattice paths (Catalan, Motzkin and large Schr\"oder numbers), intervals in Young's lattice, order polynomials, specializations of Schur and Schur Q-functions, Lucas sequences, descent and peak polynomials of permutations, pattern avoidance, set partitions, and noncrossing partitions. We end with a section with conjectures and outlining future directions.