Questions tagged [permutation-cycles]
For elementary questions concerning permutation cycles and permutation groups. This includes all representations of permutations (two-line arrays, cycles, bipartite graphs); transpositions and the sign/parity of a permutation; the Symmetric group and the Alternating group. To be used with the (permutations) tag to make the distinction between abstract algebra permutation questions and combinatoric permutation questions.
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Compositions & Transpositions of permutations
Consider the set of all permutations $S_n$.
Fix an element $\tau\in S_n$.
Then the sets $\{\sigma\circ\tau\mid \sigma\in S_n\}= \{\tau \circ\sigma\mid \sigma\in S_n\}$ have exactly $n!$ elements.
...
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1answer
21 views
Given a cycle $c \in S_n $ with $ ord(c) = s $ and $ s = kt $, prove that $c^k$ is a product of $k$ cycles of length $t$. [on hold]
I came across this question in a recent exam.
Given that $ ord(c) = s $, we assume that $c^s = c^{kt} = (id) \implies (c^{k})^t = (id)$.
That means that $c^k$ is a cycle of order $t$.
Can you ...
2
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1answer
19 views
On terminology; what is meaning of the “decrement” of a permuation? (or what is the alternative word or phrase used for this definition)
I am currently studying some lecture notes in Russian and I frequently look up the theorems and topics in English for better understanding (I'm not a native Russian so I merely just use the Russian ...
1
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2answers
63 views
In how many ways can 3 employees visit 40 locations
Three employees need to visit 40 different cities under the following conditions: each location should be visited by exactly one employee, and no location should be visited multiple times. The travel ...
0
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1answer
25 views
Permutation as string position recording in Wilson's FSG book
I'm reading Wilson's The Finite Simple Group book, mainly the Alternating group chapter, which explains the splitting criterion quite in detail. While heading there, I came across a possible ...
1
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1answer
34 views
On the product of two cycles (and its conjugates)
So this is from Charles C. Pinter's "A Book of Abstract Algebra"- specifically, it's from the second chapter on permutations.
The question is:
Let $\alpha_1$ and $\alpha_2$ be cycles of the same ...
1
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1answer
28 views
Geometrical meaning of A4 conjugacy classes of elements of order 3
I know that elements of order 3 in A4 group split into two separate conjugacy classes, due to lack of odd elements to form a unique class like happens in the full S4.
Since A4 is the rotation ...
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1answer
16 views
Proving the sign map is a homomorphism
Definition: A transposition is a 2-cycle permutation.
Definition: A permutation $\sigma$ is called even if its decomposition into transpositions has even number of transpositions; analogously for odd ...
1
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1answer
52 views
The centralizer of a cycle is the group generated by the elements of $S_n$ that are disjoint from the cycle and the group generated by the cycle.
I am having a hard time trying to prove that the centralizer of a cycle is the group generated by the elements of $S_n$ that are disjoint from the cycle and the group generated by the cycle.
It is ...
4
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1answer
131 views
Number of homomorphisms between two arbitrary groups
How many homomorphisms are there from A5 to S4 ?
This is how I tried to solve it.
If there is a homomorphism from A5 to S4 , then order of element of S4 should divide the order of its preimage. Now ...
0
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1answer
16 views
commutativity of cycle permutations [closed]
How is the following true, (given two cycle permutations a and b) $(a)^{-1} (b)^{-1} = ((b)(a))^{-1}$ where b and a contain one of the same elements. isn't it only disjoint cycles that are commutative?...
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3answers
46 views
Explanation of an unexpected observation in modular arithmetic
Let the multiplication graph $n:m$ be the graph with $m$ points equally distributed on a circle and a line between points $a$ and $b$ when $n\cdot a \equiv b\operatorname{mod} m$.
Looking at the ...
0
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1answer
26 views
Alternate definition of symmetric group action [duplicate]
Let $S_3$ act on $\Re^3$ by the permutation matrices P(σ), where P(σ)
permutes the basis vectors: $$P(σ)(e_i) = e_{σ(i)}$$
Show that, with this
formula,
$$\sigma(x_1,x_2,x_3) = P(\sigma)(x_1e_1 + ...
2
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3answers
52 views
Let $n$ be an odd positive integer and $a\in S_n$ be an $n$-cycle. Show that the order of $C(a)$ must be odd.
I am working on the following problem from group theory:
If $n$ is odd and $a\in S_n$ is an $n$-cycle, $a=(a_1,a_2,......,a_n)$, show that no element of the centralizer $C(a)=\{g\in S_n \mid ga=ag\}...
2
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1answer
35 views
Find the conjugacy class $O_{(234)}$ if $G=A_{4}$ is acting on itself by conjugation.
Find the conjugacy class $O_{(234)}$ if $G=A_{4}$ is acting on itself by conjugation.
I calculated $(x)(234)$ for all $x\in A_{4}$ and got the set $O_{(234)}=\left \{(234), (143), (142), (123), (132)\...
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1answer
19 views
Compute all $X_{g}$ and all $G_{x}$ for $X = \left \{1, 2, 3\right \}$, $G = S_{3} = \left \{(1), (12), (13), (23), (123), (132)\right \}$.
Compute all $X_{g}$ and all $G_{x}$ for $X = \left \{1, 2, 3\right \}$, $G = S_{3} = \left \{(1), (12), (13), (23), (123), (132)\right \}$.
Can someone give me a head start to this problem?
$X_{g}=\...
0
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1answer
21 views
Order and sign of a cycle
I would usually show workings or attempts of a method when posting a question here, but for this I am completely lost. I don't believe it to be a very hard question but it is as follows:
Determine ...
1
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2answers
66 views
Cycle structure of the permutation $x \mapsto p·x\operatorname{mod}q$ for coprime $p,q$
Let $[q] = \{0,\dots,q-1\}$, $p < q$.
Consider the function $\mathbf{p}: [q] \rightarrow [q]$ which sends $x \mapsto p·x\operatorname{mod}q$, i.e. the multiplication by $p$ modulo $q$ on $[q]$.
...
1
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1answer
65 views
Permutations and terminology
Say I have the following permutation
$$\sigma ={\begin{pmatrix}1&2&3&4&5&6&7&8\\1&2&3&8&4&5&6&7\end{pmatrix}}$$
which consists to let ...
0
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1answer
17 views
find all $x \in S_5$ such that $x^3 = (12)$
So I have to find all $x \in S_5$ such that $x^3 = (12)$. For example, one solution would be $(12)$ itself, because its order is $2$. How can I find all of the solutions though? Is it just trial and ...
1
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1answer
51 views
Express (1,…,n) as a product of 2-cycles
In Alan F. Beardon's "Algebra and geometry" he asks in an exercise to express $(1\ \ldots\ n)$ as a product of two cycles:
Show that $(1\ 2\ 3\ 4)=(1\ 4)(1\ 3)(1\ 2)$. Express $(1\ 2\ 3\ 4\ 5)$ as ...
0
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1answer
29 views
Definition of a permutation as product of cycles
I am having trouble with the following passage of "Algebra and Geometry" by Alan F. Beardon in the highlighted part. I've read it several times but I do not understand what he is saying. Can you give ...
5
votes
3answers
184 views
Passing a binary message to a friend where one of the components is always “turned on”
Suppose I want to communicate an integer to a friend between 1 and 1000. In order to pass this message I use a $k$-vector whose entries can be set to $0$ or $1$. So for example if $k=3$, a natural way ...
1
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1answer
19 views
(Permutations) For $n ≥ 2$,there are at least n subgroups of Sn of order $(n − 1)!$
For $n ≥ 2$, show that there are at least n subgroups of Sn of order $(n − 1)!$
0
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0answers
15 views
Number of derangements using PIE
The statement of Principle of Inclusion and Exclusion that I have been given is
$card(X$ \ $(\bigcup\limits_{i=1}^{\infty} A_{i}))=\sum\limits_{I\subseteq[n]}(-1)^{card(I)}card(A_I)$
$A_I=\...
0
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0answers
60 views
How many cuboids can be created using 125 unit cubes
A $5\times 5\times 5$ cube is built using unit cubes.How many different cuboids(that differ in at least one unit cube) can be formed using the same number of unit cubes.
My Attempt:
Let $x_{i}$ units,...
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1answer
22 views
Show that $\tau (18632)(47) \tau^{-1} = (12345)(67)$.
Example 4.7. of Aluffi's Algebra says
In $S_8$, $(18632)(47)$ and $(12345)(67)$ must be conjugate since they have the same type. So there there exist $\tau$ such that $\tau (18632)(47) \tau^{-1} = (...
1
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1answer
47 views
Combinatorics: Number of permutations from $1$ to $60$, with cyclic permutation of length $l > 30$
In a game, $60$ kids have the chance to win presents. The organiser gives every kid a number between $1$ and $60$, so that all kids have different numbers. In a room, there is a cupboard with $60$ ...
4
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3answers
79 views
How to prove that an even permutation of $A_n$ is a square of another permutation from $S_n$?
I am trying to go through a proof which contains a statement that an even permutation from $A_n$ is a square of another permutation from $S_n$. My basic ideas are like this:
Suppose an even ...
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1answer
46 views
Prove: two elements in the group of permutations satisfy A^2 = B^2 then A = B.
How does one prove when two cycles in the group of permutations satisfy A^2 = B^2 that A = B?
I think the fact the inverses A_*A = e and A_ = A^(l-1) and A = A^(l+1) is useful. l is the length of ...
2
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2answers
19 views
How is the permutation relationship interpreted
I was given the example as an illustration of structure of permutations in my lecture notes on algebra as shown below:
$\bigl(\begin{smallmatrix}
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 &...
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0answers
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All permutations carrying the set {1,2} into the set {1,2}
Book question:
Describe the following subgroups of $S_4$ and determine the number of elements in each subgroup:
a) All permutations carrying the set {1,2} into the set {1,2}
My question:
...
2
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0answers
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Help understanding the permutation group action .
I'm trying to understand actions in regards to group theory . specifically in my notes I found the following example :
Say G=$A_4$, for $x \in \{1,2,3,4\}$, and $\tau \in A_4$
We let $x^{\tau}$ be ...
0
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1answer
43 views
Existence of a permutation consisting of exactly two cycles for odd prime
Is it true that if p is an odd prime number, then there exists some integer a such that the permutation of Ф(p) induced by multiplication by a mod p consists of exactly 2 cycles?
1
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1answer
31 views
Counting permutation cycle types in $S_n$
Consider the sym group $S_4$,
We write the elements of $S_4$ in a given "form" such as
\begin{align*}
e = (1)(2)(3)(4) &\sim 1,1,1,1 \\
(12)(34) &\sim 2,2 \\
(123)(4) &\sim 3,1
\end{...
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1answer
42 views
number of permutations of length 20 whose longest cycle is of length 11?
What is the number of permutations of length 20 whose longest cycle is of length 11?
We first choose 11 from 20 in $\binom{20}{11}$ and the cyclic ordering can be done in $10!$ ways, for the ...
0
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2answers
45 views
Permutations that commute with a given transposition
I have to count how many permutations $\sigma \in S_n$ commute with a transposition $(i, j), i \neq j$. My guess is that any $\sigma$ that doesn't contain $(i, j) $ in its cycle decomposition works, ...
1
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1answer
71 views
What is the number of $(2n)$-permutations whose longest cycle is of length $n$? (verification)
There are ${\large{\binom{2n}{n}}}$ ways to choose $n$ elements for an $n$-cycle, and there are $(n-1)!$ ways to arrange the elements of this cycle. The rest can be arranged in any number of cycles, ...
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1answer
27 views
Left cosets of $S_4, H= \lbrace \epsilon, (12)(34), (13)(24), (14)(23) \rbrace$
These are my left cosets so far, according to Lagrange's Theorem I am missing one more left coset right?
\begin{align*}
\\(1234)H=&\lbrace (1234), (13), (1432), (24) \rbrace=(13)H=(1432)H=(24)H
\\...
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4answers
53 views
Permutation group products (23)(12)(34)=(1243)?
I just wanted to ask why it makes sense that $(23)(12)(34)=(1243)$. Note I'm going from right to left.
I'm trying to understand the concepts trying to find a true "method" to follow in all cases. My ...
0
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0answers
13 views
Using WolframAlpha to check cycle products for figuring out L/R cosets
I've been told and have noticed that WolframAlpha computes the order of elements a little differently than my class. How would I plug in multiple cycles so that I can check my work?
I have noticed ...
1
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1answer
40 views
Let $\sigma\in S_n$ be an $n$-cycle, and let $\tau\in S_n$ be a $2$-cycle.Then, $\sigma$ and $\tau$ need not generate $S_n$.
Let $\sigma\in S_n$ be an $n$-cycle, and let $\tau \in S_n$ be a $2$-cycle. Show by constructing a counterexample that $\sigma$ and $\tau$ need not generate $S_n$.
This problem is driving me crazy. I ...
9
votes
2answers
78 views
Elements of $S_n$ can be written as a product of $k$-cycles.
Let $k\leq n$ be even. Prove that every element in $S_n$ can be written as a product of $k$-cycles.
I really have no idea how to go about this. My initial intuition was to proceed by induction first ...
1
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1answer
32 views
Relationship between order of $(x,y)$ in $G \times G'$ and order of disjoint permutations, which both involve LCMs?
The following is an exercise from Artin's Algebra: (Kiefer Sutherland's voice)
Let x be an element of order r of a group G, and let y be an element of G' of order s. What is the order of $(x, y)$ ...
1
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1answer
44 views
Why did this reversal from the left cosets of $\langle (1, 2, 3) \rangle$ in $A_4$ give me the right cosets?
In this question How to derive the cosets of $A_4$?
I derived that the left cosets are $$\{ 1\langle (1, 2, 3) \rangle, (143)\langle (1, 2, 3) \rangle, (142)\langle (1, 2, 3) \rangle, (341)\langle (1,...
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0answers
49 views
Abstract Algebra Proof with cycles and transpositions
Let s be a permutation from Sn, for some n. Consider standard (unique) representation of s as a product s1s2...sk of independent cycles and let dec(s) be the decrement of s. Let (ij) be arbitrary ...
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3answers
65 views
Prove $(\rho_1 \rho_2 \cdots \rho_r)^u = e \implies e=\rho_1^u=\rho_2^u=\cdots=\rho_r^u$
In the proofwiki page: Order of Product of Disjoint Permutations
We have a product of disjoint permutations $\pi = \rho_1 \rho_2 \cdots \rho_r$. Why exactly is it that if $\pi^u=e$, then for each $\...
0
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1answer
31 views
Question on generating sets of $S_n$
This is the question:
Decide whether the following sets generate $S_n$ or not:
The set of 2-cycles in $S_n$
The set of even permutations in $S_n$
The set of odd permutations in $S_n$
...
2
votes
2answers
32 views
Products of permutation cycles
Hey guys im having trouble understanding how to calculate products of permutation cycles, especially when its several 2 or 3 cycles in a row, I have a few short questions here with the answers, but I ...
1
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0answers
38 views
If P is an nxn permutation matrix, is there an upper bound on k such that $P^k = I$?
So if P is an nxn permutation matrix, then because there are only finitely many ways to permute finitely many elements, we know that the sequence
$P, P^2, P^3, ...$
eventually has to repeat, between ...
