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This question has been asked in different forms but I couldn't find a satisfactory answer (this came close but not close enough).

Assume I have 4 marbles. There are effectively only 5 ways of dividing them into groups of size at least 1 and at most 4:

1) o o o o 
2) o o oo
3) o ooo
4) oo oo
4) oooo

I am wondering if there is a generalized formula for this? The key element here is that the groups can but not must be the same size and that the elements are identical (i.e. ooo o and o ooo are identical).

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    $\begingroup$ Are you just after the partition function? $\endgroup$
    – lulu
    Sep 2, 2018 at 12:08
  • $\begingroup$ Actually yes, however I'm not sure I understand how to apply the formula for an integer n... $\endgroup$
    – S. L.
    Sep 2, 2018 at 12:25
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    $\begingroup$ The partition function famously hasn't got a simple, closed form. That's why it is so extensively written about. Read the link I suggested, search online for more discussion. Not sure what it is that you are hoping for here. $\endgroup$
    – lulu
    Sep 2, 2018 at 12:28
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    $\begingroup$ Actually that did help! Yours should be the accepted answer, thanks! $\endgroup$
    – S. L.
    Sep 2, 2018 at 15:41

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