Counting polygon dissections in the projective plane

For each value of k >= 2, we determine the number p(n) of ways of dissecting a polygon in the projective plane into n subpolygons with k + 1 sides each. In particular, if k = 2 we recover a result of Edelman and Reiner (1997) on the number of triangulations of the Mobius band having it labelled points on its boundary. We also solve the problem when the polygon is dissected into subpolygons of arbitrary size. In each case, the associated generating function Sigma pnz" is a rational function in z and the corresponding generating function of plane polygon dissections. Finally, we obtain asymptotic estimates for the number of dissections of various kinds, and determine probability limit laws for natural parameters associated to triangulations and dissections. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc.