Questions tagged [permutation-groups]

For groups represented as permutations. Group transitivity, rank 3 groups, orbits and suborbits, stablizers, permutation characters, primitivity are all on-topic.

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Groups generated by 3 involutions

Let $r(m)$ denote the residue class $r+m\mathbb{Z}$, where $0 \leq r < m$. Given disjoint residue classes $r_1(m_1)$ and $r_2(m_2)$, let the class transposition $\tau_{r_1(m_1),r_2(m_2)}$ be the ...
Stefan Kohl's user avatar
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How many steps on $S_n$ are required to span $V\wedge V$, $V = K^n$?

Let $A$ be a set of generators of $G=S_n$; assume $e\in A$, $A=A^{-1}$. Let $V = K^n$, $K$ a field. Consider the natural action of $G$ on $V$ (namely, $g(e_i) = e_{g(i)}$) and on $W = V\wedge V$ (...
H A Helfgott's user avatar
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12 votes
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Solving a set of equations in a finite symmetric group

A standard way to find solutions to a finite set of equations in a finite symmetric group ${\rm S}_n$ is to take the equations as relators of a finitely presented group, to use the low index subgroups ...
Stefan Kohl's user avatar
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12 votes
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Possible orders of products of 2 involutions which interchange disjoint residue classes of the integers

Definition / Question Definition: Let $r(m)$ denote the residue class $r+m\mathbb{Z}$, where $0 \leq r < m$. Given disjoint residue classes $r_1(m_1)$ and $r_2(m_2)$, let the class transposition $...
Stefan Kohl's user avatar
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Permutation groups with diameter $O(n \log n)$

I suspect that many permutation puzzles can be solved in $O(n \log n)$ moves, which has led me to the following question/conjecture: Suppose that 1. $P_i$ for $i<k=O(1)$ are permutations on an $n$ ...
Dmytro Taranovsky's user avatar
8 votes
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226 views

Connection between Gauss's lemma and Zolotarev's lemma

So I was reflecting on the relationship between Gauss's Lemma and Zolotarev's Lemma in proofs of quadratic reciprocity: GL: $(a/p) = -1^n$, where $n$ is the number of least positive residues of $ax$ ...
user304582's user avatar
7 votes
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Extensions of oligomorphic groups

Recall that a permutation group $G\le\mathfrak{S}(\mathbb N)$ is oligomorphic if, for any positive integer $k$, the induced $G$-action on $k$-tuples of distinct elements of $\mathbb N$ has only ...
Yves Stalder's user avatar
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300 views

Does this class of groups contain finitely generated infinite periodic groups?

Let $r(m)$ denote the residue class $r+m\mathbb{Z}$, where $0 \leq r < m$. Given disjoint residue classes $r_1(m_1)$ and $r_2(m_2)$, let the class transposition $\tau_{r_1(m_1),r_2(m_2)}$ be the ...
Stefan Kohl's user avatar
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Application of finding shortest paths on Cayley graphs

For a fixed integer number $m$, Consider Cayley graph defined by all m-cycles in Symmetric group $Sym(n)$. I know that for $m=2$, there are some applications of finding shortest paths (or distance ...
user75469's user avatar
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Uniqueness of the direct product decomposition of inclusions of finite groups

This post is a generalization of Uniqueness of the direct product decomposition of finite groups. Here we look inclusions of finite groups $(H \subset G)$ instead of just finite groups. Definition: ...
Sebastien Palcoux's user avatar
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Information about permutation character from local action

Let $G$ be a finite permutation group acting transitively, but not regularly, on a set $V$. Let $H$ be the stabilizer of some point $v\in V$, and suppose that $H$ acts 2-transitively on one of its (...
Nick Gill's user avatar
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Finite groups generated by 3 involutions interchanging disjoint residue classes of the integers

Let $r(m)$ denote the residue class $r+m\mathbb{Z}$, where $0 \leq r < m$. Given disjoint residue classes $r_1(m_1)$ and $r_2(m_2)$, let the class transposition $\tau_{r_1(m_1),r_2(m_2)}$ be the ...
Stefan Kohl's user avatar
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Young Tableau Box Correlations

Let $T$ be a uniformly random Standard Young Tableau (SYT) of shape $\lambda=(\lambda_1,\cdots,\lambda_k)$ with $|\lambda|=n$. Let $T_{ij}$ denote the value in box $(i,j)$. I'm interested in what can ...
Alex R.'s user avatar
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Permutations with all cycles odd

I have recently needed to compute the number of permutations in $S_n$ with all cycles odd, and while this is easy using Flajolet-Sedgewick theory (the exponential generating function seems to be $\...
Igor Rivin's user avatar
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A conjecture on Zassenhaus groups

In a 1995 paper by Ali Nesin, "Permutation groups of finite Morley rank", the following conjecture is mentioned: Conjecture 5 An infinite Zassenhaus group $G$ of finite Morley rank is isomorphic ...
Dennis Gulko's user avatar
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Diameters of permutation groups with transitive generators

Suppose that for a permutation puzzle on $n$ elements we have a subroutine to place any $m>3$ elements in arbitrary positions (possibly scrambling the rest). Can we solve the puzzle (if it is ...
Dmytro Taranovsky's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
155 views

Centralizer of each element of a subgroup contained in the normalizer of the subgroup

Let $G \leq \operatorname{Sym}(\Omega)$ be a permutational group. A base for $G$ is a sequence of elements of $\Omega$ whose pointwise stabilizer is the identity. A base is called irredundant if no ...
Fabio Mastrogiacomo's user avatar
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What's the ratio of inclusions of finite groups with a distributive lattice?

Definition: Two inclusions of finite groups are equivalent, $(A \subset B) \sim (C \subset D)$, if: $(A/A_B \subset B/A_B) \simeq (C/C_D \subset D/C_D)$ with $A_B$ the normal core of $A$ in $B$. ...
Sebastien Palcoux's user avatar
3 votes
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Double coset relation for unique intermediate subgroup (with homogeneity)

Let $G$ be a group and $H$ a subgroup such that there is a unique (non-trivial) intermediate subgroup $K$ (i.e. $H < S < G$ implies $S=K$) and $(H \subset K) \sim (K \subset G)$ (homogeneity) ...
Sebastien Palcoux's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
156 views

A section from subfactors to transitive groups

A finite group-subgroup subfactor is a subfactor $(N \subset M)$ isomorphic to $(R^G \subset R^H)$ with $(H \subset G)$ an inclusion of finite groups acting as outer automorphism on the hyperfinite II$...
Sebastien Palcoux's user avatar
3 votes
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172 views

Largest permutation groups without "non-mixing" subgroups

We say that a subgroup of ${\rm Sym}(\mathbb{N})$ has sparse orbit representatives if it has infinitely many orbits on $\mathbb{N}$, but the set of smallest orbit representatives has natural density 0 ...
Stefan Kohl's user avatar
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Are the alternating pentultimate and the $2$-alternating pentultimate isomorphic?

Consider a physical puzzle which is in the shape of a dodecahedron where the pieces that move are the face centers and you can slice it through a plane parallel to two opposite faces going through the ...
Bram Cohen's user avatar
2 votes
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Conjugacy classes of $P\Gamma L(2,q)$

$\DeclareMathOperator\PGaL{P\Gamma L}\DeclareMathOperator\GF{GF}$May I know whether there are any developments made on the conjugacy classes of $\PGaL(2,q)$ where $q$ is a prime power but not a prime? ...
Chong Eu Meng's user avatar
2 votes
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126 views

The number of orbits of a two-point stabilizer of the symplectic group $Sp(2m,2)$

I am trying to figure out the number of orbits of a two-point stabilizer of the action of $Sp(2m,2)$ on its two orbits $\Omega^+$ and $\Omega^-$ as detailed in Dixon and Mortimer's "Permutation ...
F.Tomas's user avatar
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Permutation group with a nice lattice of block systems

Let $X$ be a finite set and $G$ be a transitive subgroup of the symmetric group on $X.$ Recall that a (complete) block system for this action is a partition of $X = B_1 \cup \cdots \cup B_k$ into ...
tim's user avatar
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First appearance of "structure tree"?

Let $G$ be a transitive permutation group acting on a set $\Omega$. A structure tree $T$ for $(G,\Omega)$ is defined as follows: if $G$ is primitive, then it consists of a root node connected by edges ...
H A Helfgott's user avatar
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What are the transitive extensions of finite representations of cyclic groups?

This question is a generalisation of this one. Let $H$ be a finite, transitive permutation group of degree $n$. If the point stabiliser subgroup $H_n$ of degree $n-1$ is some faithful permutation ...
M Dean's user avatar
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656 views

What is the definition of plethysm in the representation theory of permutation groups

Let $s_\lambda \circ s_\mu$ be a plethysm. Here let $\lambda, \mu$ be $m,n$ box Young diagrams. I have seen the definition of plethysms in symmetric functions. I would like to understand the ...
vishmay's user avatar
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Special sets of involutions generating ${\rm S}_n$

For which positive integers $k$ and $r$ are there involutions $g_{n,i} \in {\rm S}_n$ $(n \in \mathbb{N}, \ i = 1, \dots, k)$ such that the following hold?: for any $n$, the $g_{n,i}$ $(i = 1, \dots, ...
Stefan Kohl's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
260 views

Characterization of the elements of an infinite simple group

Let $r(m)$ denote the residue class $r+m\mathbb{Z}$, where $0 \leq r < m$. Given disjoint residue classes $r_1(m_1)$ and $r_2(m_2)$, let the class transposition $\tau_{r_1(m_1),r_2(m_2)}$ be the ...
Stefan Kohl's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
152 views

Diameter of the "Masterball-puzzle" permutation groups by a kind of Cartier-Foata enumeration?

There is an wonderful blog post by Jordan S. Ellenberg SHOULD YOU BE SURPRISED BY THE DIAMETER OF THE NXNXN RUBIK’S GROUP?. Which explains how one can come to $N^2log(N)$ estimate of the diameter of ...
Alexander Chervov's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
78 views

cycle types of all words in a permutation group

I have been working with permutation groups. For a given $G\subset S_n$, what I have been computing depends only on the conjugacy class of $G$. Say all permutation groups in this question are ...
Pierre's user avatar
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1 vote
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Totally imprimitive groups

Following [Neumann P.M., The lawlessness of groups of finitary permutation groups, Arch. Math. 55(6) 1990, 521-532], we define totally imprimitive groups in a more general form as follows: Let $G$ be ...
IGT's user avatar
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Adjacent vertices of a permutohedron which is the orbit of a point $x$ with repeated coordinates

Question: Let $x=(x_1, ..., x_n) \in \mathbb{R}^n$, and let $P$ be the convex hull of the points formed by permuting the coordinates of $x$. Given a vertex $y$ of $P$, what is a general rule for ...
ccriscitiello's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
55 views

Effect on finite transformation semigroup under a particular modification of the generators

The following question arises in connection with problems in automata theory related to the road problem. Let $f_1, f_2: [N] \to [N]$ be maps such that the transformation semigroup $S = \langle f_1, ...
Sophie M's user avatar
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1 vote
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35 views

Uniform cover of the symmetric group by "multiples" of its subset

Given a subset $T$ of the symmetric group $S_n$. For $p\in S_n$, define $$pT = \{ pt\mid t\in T\}.$$ Questions: Q1: Is there a simple characterization of all subsets $\{p_1,\dots,p_k\}\subseteq S_n$ ...
Max Alekseyev's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
90 views

What is an upper limit of relative size of conjugacy class of the transitive finite group?

What is $$ \limsup_{n\to\infty} \sup_{\deg(G)=n} \left( \frac{\max_{x\in G} \left|\operatorname{conj}(x)\right|}{\operatorname{ord}(G)}\right),$$ $G$ transitive permutation group? And what are the ...
Slepecky Mamut's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
267 views

A question about permutation matrices

This question is trying to abstract out in a self-contained way the point that is probably being made in page 6 of this paper, https://arxiv.org/pdf/1604.03544.pdf and why Theorem 4.1 there works. ...
gradstudent's user avatar
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1 vote
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238 views

Counting elements having a given cycle structure in maximal subgroups of a generalized symmetric group

Let $G$ be the wreath product $C_7\wr S_{18}$, where $C_7$ is the cyclic group of order 7 and $S_{18}$ is the symmetric group on 18 symbols. Consider $G$ to be embedded in the group $S_{126}=S_{7\cdot ...
352506's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
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graphs with semiregular automorphisms

I need some "well-known" non-regular finite graphs (at least two vertices have different valency) whose automorphism groups contain a non-trivial subgroup that acts on the vertices semi-regularly (i....
majid arezoomand's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
51 views

Set of vectors closed under restricted permutation operations

Let $V=\{v_1,\cdots v_k\}$ a set of non zero different norm one vectors in $R^d$, $k>2$. I am trying to demonstrate that if $Q=\{P_i\in R^{k\times k},i=1,\cdots,k\}$ is a set of permutations such ...
Fabio's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
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Are the finite groups inclusions, almost all relatively cyclic?

Definition: An inclusion of finite groups $(A \subset B)$ is relatively cyclic if $\exists b \in B$ such that $\langle A,b \rangle = B$. Definition: Two inclusions of finite groups are equivalent, $(...
Sebastien Palcoux's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
219 views

A connection between nonplanar complete graphs and the alternating groups?

I didn't get any response on MSE so I though I'd give this a try here (my question on MSE). I went to an undergrad's senior honors thesis presentation a while ago. She was discussing crossing numbers ...
Bill Cook's user avatar
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1 vote
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Outer automorphisms of an infinite simple group

Let $r(m)$ denote the residue class $r+m\mathbb{Z}$, where $0 \leq r < m$. Given disjoint residue classes $r_1(m_1)$ and $r_2(m_2)$, let the class transposition $\tau_{r_1(m_1),r_2(m_2)}$ be the ...
Stefan Kohl's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
102 views

classification for some groups

Let $G$ be a finite group. Suppose that $G$ acts on a set, say $X$, transitively such that for every $x\in X$, $G_x^g=G_x$ or $G_x^g\cap G_x=\{1\}$. Could you please tell me if there is a ...
salam's user avatar
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0 answers
163 views

Request for a modern Reference for Frobenius' paper "Über die Charaktere der mehrfach transitiven Gruppen"

I'm interested in the paper of Jan Saxl "The Complex Characters of the Symmetric Groups that Remain Irreducible in Subgroups". I have only (not yet enough!) standard background on the ...
gualterio's user avatar
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140 views

Subgroups of powers of the alternating group on 5 elements

Definition: Let $G$ be a group, and let $H \leq G$ be a subgroup. We say that $H$ is big in $G$ if for every intermediate subgroup $H \leq L \leq G$ there exists some $x \in L$ such that $\langle H \...
Pablo's user avatar
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217 views

Orbits of stabilizer of two points in a 2-transitive permutation group

I was doing something which needs to know sizes of all orbits of the stabilizer of two points in a 2-transitive permutation group. Since all 2-transitive permutation groups are known ans so are their ...
Binzhou Xia's user avatar