Growth of a finitely generated commutative algebra

Let a commutative $k$-algebra $R$ be generated by $x_1,\dots ,x_n$, and let $R_j$ be the span of words of total degree at most $j$ in those generators. The associated graded ring of this filtration is a standard graded algebra, andThe Hilbert-Serre theorem therefore makes ${\dim }_k{R}_j$ eventually a polynomial in $j$. Its degree is $\dim R$; this follows by applying the Rees-ring deformation, whose special fibers are $R$ and the associated graded ring, so they have the same Krull dimension.

Forwith the four displayed generators, $R_j$ has basis $Y_1^a{Y}_2^b$ with $|a|+|b|\le j$. The number of integer lattice points in this diamond isIts quadratic growth agrees with $\dim R=2$.