Skip to main content

All Questions

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
30 votes
0 answers
814 views

Interpretation of "1089-number trick" in terms of symmetric group action on cohomology group?

I tried posting the following on math.stackexchange, but no answers. I can of course delete if inappropriate. The "1089 number trick" (see e.g. here) says that if you take a three-digit ...
mnmse475's user avatar
  • 301
3 votes
0 answers
121 views

Twisted permutations

We consider a set $E$ with an involution (having perhaps fixed points). We denote orbits by $\lbrace x,\overline{x}\rbrace$ (with $\overline{x}=x$ in the case of a fixed point). We consider sequences $...
Roland Bacher's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
167 views

A probability problem in the conjugacy classes of symmetric group

Assume that $\sigma\in S_n$ has the cycle type $(p,.,p,1,..,1)$ where $p>2$ is a prime and the numbers of $1$ maybe $0$. If $\sigma_1$ and $\sigma_2$ are chosen uniformly in the conjugacy class of $...
constantine's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
99 views

Symmetric polynomial constructed from symmetric group

Let $n$ be a positive integer, $S_n$ be the symmetric group. For a permutation $p=[p_1,\dots,p_n]\in S_n$, define $x^p := x_1^{p_1}\cdots x_n^{p_n}$. It can be seen that the following polynomial is ...
Max Alekseyev's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
339 views

What is the Lie superalgebra generated by permutations?

Consider the group algebra of the symmetric group $\mathbb{C}S_n$. Then there is a corresponding Lie algebra $\mathfrak{L}(S_n)$ defined by $$[\sigma, \tau] = \sigma\circ\tau - \tau\circ\sigma,$$ ...
WunderNatur's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
199 views

Sequence of monotone tuples and permutation condition for rotation

I was doing some counting in $S_n$ symmetric group I encountered the following problem, which also someway related to central factorial number. So given a $n$ cycle say $(1,2,\ldots,n)$, what are the ...
GGT's user avatar
  • 685
4 votes
1 answer
273 views

Relation between two permutation metrics

Note: I asked this question a few months ago here, but received no answer. Consider the following two metrics on permutations of $\{1,2,\dots,n\}$: $d_\text{swap}(\sigma,\tau)$ is the minimum number ...
reservoir's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
252 views

Swaps in a permutation across an index

We are given two positive integers $N$ and $K$ such that $K < N$. We start with an array $A=[1,2,\dots,N]$. We can choose an arbitrary index $i \in \{1,2,\dots,N-1\}$ and we can swap $A[i]$ with $A[...
David Pal's user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
183 views

Explaining $\left(a-1\right)^n \cdot n! \mid a^{n-1} \prod_{i=1}^n \left(a^i-1\right)$ by a free $S_n$-action

Here is an olympiad-level problem on elementary number theory: Let $a$ be an integer and $n$ a positive integer. Prove that \begin{align} \left(a-1\right)^n \cdot n! \mid a^{n-1} \prod_{i=1}^n \left(...
darij grinberg's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
275 views

Is the Cayley distance on permutation (matrices) equivalent to the Riemannian metric on $O(n)$?

Denote by $d_C(\sigma,\mu)$ the minimal number of transpositions needed to go from a permutation $\sigma$ to a permutation $\mu$. E.g. if $d_C(\sigma,\mu)=0$, then $\sigma=\mu$, if $d_C(\sigma,\mu)=1$,...
Peter's user avatar
  • 131
7 votes
1 answer
591 views

Can Matsumoto's theorem for the symmetric group be proved using a monovariant?

This is a question that can be asked for any Coxeter group, but for the sake of simplicity I will restrict myself to symmetric groups. Recall the main definitions: Let $n$ be a nonnegative integer. ...
darij grinberg's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
274 views

When are immanants irreducible?

For a partition $\lambda$ let $\chi_\lambda$ be the corresponding irreducible representation of the symmetric group $S_n$. Let $\mathrm{Imm}_\lambda(x) = \sum\limits_{\pi \in S_n} \chi_\lambda(\pi) x_{...
Mare's user avatar
  • 26.5k
0 votes
0 answers
56 views

Greatest common length of permutation

Given two permutations $\pi_1$ and $\pi_2$ without their cycle decompositions is there a good method to compute the largest cycle length common between them in their decompositions? a good method to ...
Turbo's user avatar
  • 13.9k
4 votes
1 answer
139 views

A close reative of "Inflated" Eulerian polynomials

I came across this post Coefficients of the Inflated Eulerian Polynomial by AULI-GRAHAM-SAVAGE. In particular, the polynomials related to descents interested me $$P_n(x)=\sum_{\pi\in\mathfrak{S}_n}x^{...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
344 views

For which $n$ can $S_n$ act transitively on $n+k$ elements?

It is known that the symmetric group $S_n$ can act transitively on $n+1$ elements if and only if $n=5$. Are there similar classifications for $S_n$ acting transitively on $n+k$ elements, where $k$ is ...
M. Winter's user avatar
  • 13.6k
8 votes
0 answers
331 views

A question related to Young symmetrizers

Let $T$ be an arbitrary Young tableau (i.e., filling of the diagram of an integer partition $\lambda$ of $n$ by the numbers from $1$ to $n$, each appearing once). Let $R(T)$ be the subgroup of ...
Abdelmalek Abdesselam's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
145 views

Words that give rise to an enumeration of elements of the symmetric group

Let $\mathbb{S}_m$ be the symmetric group on $m$ letters. Let $n=m-1$. Let $\mathbf{w}=a_1\cdots a_r$ be a word on the alphabet $\{1,\ldots,n\}$. We say that $\mathbf{w}$ gives rise to an enumeration ...
Christoph Mark's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
358 views

Induction step in Bóna and Ehrenborg's proof that the generating function of the alternating runs has -1 as a root of a certain multiplicity

This is a crosspost of a question I asked on Mathematics SE four months ago. Periodically bumping it and placing a bounty on it to attract more attention were to no avail. There are some comments ...
user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
177 views

Combinatorial bijection on monotone sequences

Let $(n),\mu$ be the partition of $n$ define $H_g^{m}((n);\mu)$ count's the number of tuples $(\tau_1,\ldots,\tau_r)$ of transposition in symmetric group $S_n$ with the following conditions $$ (1,2,\...
GGT's user avatar
  • 685
2 votes
1 answer
140 views

Minimum local permutation data needed to globally merge locally sorted sequences?

We have $k$ blocks of integer sequences $B_1,\dots,B_k$ where $B_i$ is a sequence $$a_{i,1},\dots,a_{i,n_i}$$ with $a_{i,j}\leq a_{i,j+1}$. Denote the permutation matrix $M_{\ell,\ell'}$ that merges $...
VS.'s user avatar
  • 1,826
0 votes
0 answers
126 views

Combinatorics of merging sequences from multinomial coefficients

If you have $m$ sequences $a_{11},\dots,a_{1n_1}$ through $a_{m1},\dots,a_{mn_m}$ each sorted in ascending order (assume there are no duplicates) then there is an unique way to merge them. How many ...
VS.'s user avatar
  • 1,826
12 votes
2 answers
947 views

How rare are unholey permutations?

For $S\subset [n]:=\{1,2,\dotsc,n\}$, define $\delta(S)$ to be the number of $m\in S$ such that $m+1\notin S$. Given a permutation $\pi$ of $[n]$, we define the holeyness $D(\pi)$ of $\pi$ as being $...
H A Helfgott's user avatar
  • 20.2k
1 vote
0 answers
147 views

A certain kind of permutations and transport of Bruhat chains under conjugation

Let $(W,S)$ be a finite Coxeter system. Let us consider the following situation: Let $v_1,v_2,w\in W$ such that $v_1=wv_2w^{-1}$. Let $s_{\beta_r}\ldots s_{\beta_1}$ be a reduced expression of $v_2$. ...
Christoph Mark's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
1k views

A cancellation property for permutations?

Let $S_n$ be the group of $n$-permutations. Denote the number of inversions of $\sigma\in S_n$ by $\ell(\sigma)$. QUESTION. Assume $n>2$. Does this cancellation property hold true? $$\sum_{\...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
136 views

The number of permutations with a special condition

Suppose we are considering $S_n$. For any permutation, let $h$ be the number of derangement and $N$ be the number of cycles with length no less than 2. I'm interested in the number of permutations ...
neverevernever's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
2k views

The number of permutations with specified number of cycles and fixed points

I'm interested in the number of permutations for a specified number of fixed points and cycles. Suppose we are in $S_n$. For any permutation in $S_n$, let $h$ be the number of changed points (the ...
neverevernever's user avatar
13 votes
2 answers
841 views

Cycle generating function of permutations with only odd cycles

Let $\mathrm{ODD}(n)$ be the set of permutations in $\mathfrak{S}_n$ whose cycle lengths are all odd. It is known that $$ \#\mathrm{ODD}(n) = \begin{cases} ((n-1)!!)^2 &\textrm{ if $n$ is even}; \\...
Sam Hopkins's user avatar
  • 24.2k
3 votes
1 answer
258 views

Cycle Structure of a Permutation Based on the Binary Representation

This is a question I posted on math.stackexchange.com before but never got an answer. I am cross-posting it here. Define a permutation $\sigma$ on the set $X=\{1,2,...,n\}$, $n$ is a natural number ...
Hans's user avatar
  • 2,239
2 votes
0 answers
85 views

Combinatorial model for twisted involutions in $S_n$

Let $(W,S)$ be a Coxeter group and $*:S \to S$ be an automorphism of the Dynkin diagram of $W$ so that $*^2$ is the identity. This induces a bijection $*:W \to W$ mapping $w = s_1 \dots s_n$ to $w^* = ...
Zach H's user avatar
  • 1,989
2 votes
0 answers
85 views

Permutation factorizations according to number of generated orbits

Let $\pi$ be a permutation in $S_n$ with cycle type $\lambda$. How many factorizations into two factors $\pi=\sigma_1\sigma_2$ are there, such that the subgroup $\langle \sigma_1,\sigma_2\rangle$ ...
Marcel's user avatar
  • 2,552
12 votes
1 answer
385 views

Question on a reduction in Kirillov's paper on positivity of divided difference operators

As the title says, my question is on a specific argument in Kirillov - Skew divided difference operators and Schubert polynomials (journal, MSN) on positivity of divided difference operators. I recall ...
Christoph Mark's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
81 views

Characterization of permutations which have at most one successor in the covering relation of the weak Bruhat order

Let $W$ be the symmetric group on $n+1$ letters. Let $\ell$ be the length function on $W$. As the title says, can we characterize all $v\in W$ such that there exists a $w\in W$ such that for all ...
Christoph Mark's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
366 views

Provoking involutions further

Let $\mathfrak{S}_n$ denote the permutation group, and $I_0(n)=\sum_{j\geq0}\binom{n}{2j}\frac{(2j)!}{2^jj!}$ stand for involutions see A000085 for more interpretations. There is also these numbers $...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
216 views

trace and involution permutations: Part II

This is a follow up on my earlier MO question. Let $\operatorname{Inv}(\mathfrak{S}_n):=\{\pi\in\mathfrak{S}_n: \pi^2=1\}$ be the set of involutions in the symmetric group $\mathfrak{S}_n$. Denote $...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
637 views

trace and involution permutations: Part I

Let $\operatorname{Inv}(\mathfrak{S}_n):=\{\pi\in\mathfrak{S}_n: \pi^2=1\}$ be the set of involutions in the symmetric group $\mathfrak{S}_n$. Denote $I_n:=\#\operatorname{Inv}(\mathfrak{S}_n)$. Let $\...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
200 views

factorization of polynomials wrt the major index stat

Let $\mathfrak{S}_n$ be the permutation group on $\{1,\dots,n\}$. Given $\pi=\pi_1\pi_2\dots\pi_n\in\mathfrak{S}_n$, its major index statistic is denoted maj$(\pi)$. Define the polynomials $$Q_{n,k}(x)...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
947 views

Maximal pairwise distance between $k$ permutations

How can k permutations on n-set be arranged to maximize minimal pairwise Kendall tau distance (i.e. number of discordant pairs) between them? For two permutations this is obviously when the second ...
Bogdan Chornomaz's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
531 views

sum over permutations equals zero?

The question we are considering concerns a sum over all permutation $\sigma \in S_n$ (symmetric group) of a certain rational function: $$\sum_{\sigma \in S_n} \frac{\sigma_{j1} \sigma_{j2}... \sigma_{...
Kathi's user avatar
  • 33
6 votes
2 answers
532 views

A question about (unicity of certain cycles in a Cayley graph of a) symmetric group

Let $S=\{(1,2),(1,2,3,\ldots,n),(1,2,3,\ldots,n)^{-1}=(1,n\ldots,2)\}$ be a subset of the symmetric group $S_n$. We know that $(1,2,\ldots,n)(1,2)=(2,3,\ldots,n)$, and thus $$[(1,2,\ldots,n)(1,2)]^{n-...
Xueyi Huang's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
419 views

On the symmetric group of 2^n elements

Consider the set $ X_1^n=\{1,2,...,2^n\} $. Then define $ X_2^n $ to be the set of two element subsets of $ X_1^n $. I will construct $ X_i $ by induction on $ i $. $ X_i^n $ is the set of two element ...
DLN's user avatar
  • 817
0 votes
0 answers
62 views

normal sets and conjugate generating sets of $S_n$

In this arXiv paper (p. 13), Steinhardt defines a normal set in $S_n$ as follows: Definition: A split set of more than two cycles generating $S_n$ is said to be normal if any element is adjacent to ...
svsring's user avatar
  • 146
4 votes
0 answers
1k views

Permutation-invariant matrix representation

The question guide says that Mathoverflow is for research level mathematics. While I do not perform research in mathematics (I study quantum chemistry), I believe this question is research-level ...
Nick's user avatar
  • 121
3 votes
0 answers
156 views

Exact growth rate of Longest Increasing Subsequence expectation

Let $S_n$ be the symmetric group, $\pi\in S_n$ a uniformly random permutation and $L_n:=L_n(\pi)$ denoting the length of the longest increasing subsequence (LIS). We know that $\lim_{n\rightarrow\...
Alex R.'s user avatar
  • 4,952
3 votes
0 answers
75 views

Is $LIS(\pi)+LIS(\sigma)+LIS(\sigma\pi^{-1})$ lower bounded?

In the title, $LIS$ stands for the length of longest increasing subsequence and Greek letters stand for permutations from symmetric group $S_n$. Considering some cases such as $\pi^{-1}=\sigma=...
user3760541's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
97 views

Name for class of flattening permutations

Let $S_n$ be the symmetric group. For any sequence of numbers $y=[y_1,y_2,\cdots,y_k]$, define the flattening operation as $\mbox{flatt}_{k}(y)$ as a relabeling of $y_1,y_2,\cdots,y_k$ in terms of ...
Alex R.'s user avatar
  • 4,952
3 votes
1 answer
365 views

counting the number of ordered pairs in a permutohedron

Recall that a permutohedron is a graph on the set of permutations $S_n$ with an edge between $\sigma$ and $\tau$ if they differ by one adjacent transposition: $\tau = (i,i+1) \circ \sigma$ for some $i ...
John Jiang's user avatar
  • 4,466
26 votes
6 answers
3k views

Why is the right permutohedron order (aka weak order) on $S_n$ a lattice?

This is one of those things I never expected to be hard until I tried to prove it. Why is the right permutohedron order (a.k.a. weak Bruhat order, a.k.a. weak order -- not to be confused with the ...
darij grinberg's user avatar
15 votes
5 answers
5k views

How do most people write permutations?

I'd like to know how people prefer to write permutations, or elements of the symmetric group $S_n$ for $n\ge0$. The most natural way to define a permutation in $S_n$ is as a bijection on the set $\{1,...
10 votes
5 answers
1k views

Number of Permutations?

Edit: This is a modest rephrasing of the question as originally stated below the fold: for $n \geq 3$, let $\sigma \in S_n$ be a fixed-point-free permutation. How many fixed-point-free permutations $\...
balli's user avatar
  • 101
5 votes
1 answer
600 views

Distances on generalizations of the symmetric group

I'm a computer vision student, and I'm looking for some symmetric group literature guidance. I'm going to provide some context, and finally ask two questions. The Cayley distance and other distances ...
emchristiansen's user avatar