# Ordered integer partition [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate:
Proving an equality involving compositions of an integer

A sequence of natural numbers $\langle a_1,\ldots,a_k \rangle$ is an ordered partition of $n$ if $\sum_{i=1}^k a_i=n$. Prove that for $n\ge 4$, the number of occurrences of $3$ in all ordered partitions of $n$ is $n \cdot 2^{n-5}$.

I don't know how to approach. Usually I meet problems on partitions where generating functions are useful, but here I think only combinatorial interpretation can help.

• I edited your question to hopefully clarify the meaning. Please check to make sure that I correctly interpreted what you were asking. – Michael Joyce Sep 8 '12 at 21:04
• Thank you very much for editing. It is exactly what I was trying to ask. – ray Sep 8 '12 at 21:05
• If I understand correctly, you're not including zero in the natural numbers. Am I right? – Rod Carvalho Sep 8 '12 at 21:23
• that's right, only positive integers – ray Sep 8 '12 at 21:27
• There are two good answers at the duplicate that I just cited. – Brian M. Scott Sep 8 '12 at 21:56