English

Order polynomials and P\'olya's enumeration theorem

Combinatorics 2014-01-29 v2

Abstract

P\'olya's enumeration theorem is concerned with counting labeled sets up to symmetry. Given a finite group acting on a finite set of labeled elements it states that the number of labeled sets up to symmetry is given by a polynomial in the number of labels. We give a new perspective on this theorem by generalizing it to partially ordered sets and order preserving maps. Further we prove a reciprocity statement in terms of strictly order preserving maps generalizing a classical result by Stanley (1970). We apply our results to counting graph colorings up to symmetry.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1310.0838,
  title  = {Order polynomials and P\'olya's enumeration theorem},
  author = {Katharina Jochemko},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1310.0838},
  year   = {2014}
}

Comments

7 pages; V2: minor changes, Prop. 3.6. added

R2 v1 2026-06-22T01:39:20.820Z