The Gaussian coefficient revisited

Abstract

We give a new $q$-$(1+q)$-analogue of the Gaussian coefficient, also known as the $q$-binomial which, like the original $q$-binomial ${\left[\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{n}{k}\right]}_q$, is symmetric in $k$ and $n-k$. We show this $q$-$(1+q)$-binomial is more compact than the one discovered by Fu, Reiner, Stanton and Thiem. Underlying our $q$-$(1+q)$-analogue is a Boolean algebra decomposition of an associated poset. These ideas are extended to the Birkhoff transform of any finite poset. We end with a discussion of higher analogues of the $q$-binomial.

8 pages, 1 table