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Questions tagged [symmetric-groups]

The symmetric group $S_n$ is the group of permutations of the set of integers $\{1,\dots,n\}$. This has $n!$ elements and is generated by the $n-1$ involutions exchanging consecutive integers. The symmetric groups form the simplest family of Coxeter groups.

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3 votes
1 answer
388 views

What is the unit group of the representation ring of the symmetric group S_3?

The representation ring of the symmetric group S_3 is a fusion ring of rank 3. We wonder its unit group. By direct computation, it needs to solve two inhomogeneous Diophantine equations, but which we ...
1 vote
1 answer
210 views

Words representations of elements of a symmetric group

Let $S=\{(1,2),(1,2,\ldots,n),(1,n,,n-1,\ldots,2)\}$ be a subset of the symmetric group $S_n$. Let $a=(1,2),b=(1,2,\ldots,n),c=(1,n,n-1\ldots,2)$ be the elements of $S$. My question is, since $S$ is a ...
6 votes
2 answers
318 views

Involutive solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation (and triangular Hopf algebras)

I'm interested in solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation $$R_{12}R_{23}R_{12}=R_{23}R_{12}R_{23},$$ that are involutive $R^2_{12}=1$. Or put it another way, I'm interested in representations of the ...
5 votes
1 answer
309 views

On a proof involving Young symmetrizers acting on tensor spaces

I hope this is not too elementary for this site, but I already asked something similar on MSE which has not received any attention whatsoever. I am extremely unfamiliar with the algebraic/...
16 votes
4 answers
4k views

Making the branching rule for the symmetric group concrete

This question concerns the characteristic $0$ representation theory of the symmetric group $S_n$. I'm a topologist, not a representation theorist, so I apologize if I state it in an odd way. First, a ...
6 votes
0 answers
255 views

Proving the spectrum of the Young-Jucys-Murphy elements by formal computation in the degenerate affine Hecke algebra

This is really a followup to Why are Jucys-Murphy elements' eigenvalues whole numbers? , specifically to Igor Makhlin's beautiful answer. I'm trying to make it even more beautiful by getting rid ...
5 votes
0 answers
120 views

Towers of algebras, their 2-step centralizer algebras, and analogues of the degenerate affine Hecke algebra

Let $\, \big( {\frak{F}}_0 \subset {\frak{F}}_1 \subset {\frak{F}}_2 \subset \cdots \big)$ be a tower of semi-simple, finite dimensional, unital, complex algebras starting with ${\frak{F}}_0 \cong \...
2 votes
0 answers
141 views

Partial sum of Weingarten functions over symmetric group

I have a question about partial sums of Weingarten functions. The Weingarten functions are defined as $$ E_U[U_{i_1,j_1}\dotsm U_{i_k,j_k}U^*_{i'_1,j'_1}\dotsm U^*_{i'_k,j'_k}]=\sum_{\alpha,\beta \in \...
10 votes
2 answers
741 views

Littlewood-Richardson coefficients in terms of Specht modules

Littlewood-Richardson coefficients $c_{\nu\mu}^{\lambda}$ (where $\nu$,$\mu$ and $\lambda$ are integer partitions such that $|\nu| + |\mu| = |\lambda|$) are well-known coefficients appearing in ...
8 votes
1 answer
371 views

Harmonic flow on the Young lattice

Let me begin with some preliminary concepts: A positive real-valued function $\varphi: P \rightarrow \Bbb{R}_{>0}$ on a locally finite, ranked poset $(P, \trianglelefteq)$ is harmonic if $\varphi(\...
1 vote
0 answers
103 views

Are there standard short notations for ascending and descending cyclic permutations?

In a paper I am currently writing I use cyclic permutations of the form $$ (k,k+1,\dots,\ell) $$ and $$ (\ell,\ell-1,\dots,k) $$ of consecutive elements quite a lot (I added the commas to avoid ...
6 votes
1 answer
542 views

Is there a classification of homomorphisms $S_n \to S_{n+k}$ for small $k$?

Homomorphisms $B_n \to B_{2n}$ and $B_n \to S_{2n}$ have been classified in Chen–Kordek–Margalit - Homomorphisms between braid groups and Lin - Braids and permutations respectively. I am interested in ...
20 votes
0 answers
451 views

Row of the character table of symmetric group with most negative entries

The row of the character table of $S_n$ corresponding to the trivial representation has all entries positive, and by orthogonality clearly it is the only one like this. Is it true that for $n\gg 0$, ...
1 vote
0 answers
76 views

Determine whether a set generates a residue field of an invariant ring

Fix two positive integers $m>n$. Let $(A|Y)$ be an $m\times (n+1)$ augmented matrix consisted of $m\times (n+1)$ indeterminates, where $Y$ is a column symbolic vector of length $m$. Denote $R=\...
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 ...
2 votes
0 answers
77 views

Confusion Regarding Character Polynomials and Dimensions of Irreducible Representations in the Symmetric Group

I am trying to use the Garsia–Goupil formula. Fundamentally, the character polynomial satisfies $$ \chi^{(n-|\mu|, \mu)}_{1^{a_1} 2^{a_2} \cdots} = q_\mu(a_1, a_2, \ldots) \equiv q_\mu(1^{a_1} 2^{a_2} ...
10 votes
0 answers
389 views

Has anyone met this "$q$-character" table for $S_4$?

Is anyone aware of the following $q$-character table for the symmetric group $S_4$? \begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|} \hline \mathrm{conj}\backslash\mathrm{rep} & 2+1+1 & 3+1 & ...
11 votes
2 answers
2k views

Schur-Weyl duality in positive characteristic

$\DeclareMathOperator\Rep{Rep}\DeclareMathOperator\GL{GL}\DeclareMathOperator\SW{SW}$Let $S_k$ be the symmetric group. Let $F$ be an algebraically closed field. Let $\Rep(S_k)$ be the category of ...
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 ...
8 votes
3 answers
2k views

Bijective proof for a partition identity

I came across the following cute fact about partitions: \begin{align} & |\{\lambda \vdash n \text{ with an even number of even parts}\}| \\[8pt] & {} - |\{ \lambda \vdash n \text{ with an odd ...
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[...
6 votes
2 answers
325 views

Is there a combinatorial interpretation of this array in terms of $S_{2n+1}$?

I have recently encountered a triangular array $(a_{i,j})_{0\le i\le j}$, each line of which might (should?) have a combinatorial interpretation in terms of $S_{2n+1}$. Here it is (the first entry of ...
2 votes
0 answers
124 views

invariant decomposition of $\mathbb{C}[S_k^n]^{S_k}$

Denote $S_k^n = \underbrace{S_k \times \dots \times S_k}_{n \text{ times}}$ and let $S_k$ act on $S_k^n$ conjugate diagonal, so that $$ \pi (\sigma_1, \dots, \sigma_n)\pi^{-1} := (\pi \sigma_1 \pi^{-1}...
6 votes
0 answers
246 views

What do Macdonald polynomials hint about $\operatorname{Rep}(S_\infty)$?

$\DeclareMathOperator\Rep{Rep}$It is well-known that the Macdonald "$P$" polynomials deform the Jack "$J$" polynomials [1]. The latter have profound relations with representation ...
6 votes
1 answer
630 views

Representation ring of the symmetric group $S_n$ in the limit as $n \to \infty$

Let $S_n$ denote the symmetric group on $n$-letters and let $\mathrm{Rep}(S_n)$ denote its representation ring. For every $n$ restriction along the inclusion $S_{n-1} \to S_n$ induces a ring ...
9 votes
2 answers
762 views

Solutions of $x^d=1$ in the symmetric group

L Moser and M Wyman, On solutions of $x^d = 1$ in symmetric groups, Canad. J. Math., 7 (1955), pages 159-168, explored asymptotic behavior of the cardinality of such permutations: $$f_d(n):=\#\{\pi\in\...
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 ...
31 votes
2 answers
1k views

Does the symmetric group $S_{10}$ factor as a knit product of symmetric subgroups $S_6$ and $S_7$?

By knit product (alias: Zappa-Szép product), I mean a product $AB$ of subgroups for which $A\cap B=1$. In particular, note that neither subgroup is required to be normal, thus making this a ...
12 votes
2 answers
1k views

The character table of the symmetric group modulo m

Let $S_n$ be the symmetric group and $M_n$ the character table of $S_n$ as a matrix (in some order) for $n \geq 2$. Question: Is it true that the rank of $M_n$ as a matrix modulo $m$ for $m \geq 2$ ...
8 votes
1 answer
272 views

Branching rule for Specht modules over Kazhdan-Lusztig basis

Suppose $\lambda\vdash n$ is a partition and $S^\lambda$ is the associated irreducible representation of $S_n$. As we know from the branching rule, we have an isomorphism of $S_{n-1}$ modules $$S^\...
4 votes
1 answer
135 views

The symmetric group of positive integers acting on $\ell^\infty(\mathbb{N})^*$

Let $\mathfrak{S}_\mathbb{N}$ be the symmetric group of all positive integers. Let $\ell^\infty(\mathbb{N})^*$ be the dual space of $\ell^\infty(\mathbb{N})$ equipped with weak*-topology. There is a ...
1 vote
0 answers
72 views

Scalars by which symmetrizations of cyclic permutations act on Specht modules

Let $S_n$ be the symmetric group. Pick $a \in 2,\ldots,n$ and denote by $c_a \in \mathbb{C}[S_n]$ the symmetrization of the element $(12\ldots a)$ i.e. $c_a$ is the sum of cycles of type $a$. Let $\...
1 vote
0 answers
82 views

How to obtain explicit formula for this sum over Young diagram?

Consider the next essence $$ B_N (r, q) =\sum_{\tau \vdash r} d^2 (\tau ) \prod_{i = 1}^{r} \frac{\Gamma [N + \tau_i - i +1]}{\Gamma [N + \tau_i - i +1+q]} $$ where $d(\tau)$ is dimension of ...
2 votes
0 answers
168 views

New identity for sum over Young diagram of symmetric group?

Consider the next identity $$ \sum_{\tau \vdash r} d^2 (\tau ) \! \prod_{i = -(r-1)}^{r-1} \! \! \left( N+i \right)^{t_i^r} =\sum_{\tau \vdash r} d^2 (\tau ) \prod_{i = 1}^{r} \Gamma [N + \tau_i - ...
2 votes
1 answer
137 views

How to re-expand the sum of Schur function?

Consider next sum \begin{eqnarray} \label{PF_spindef} Z = \sum_{r=0}^{N N_f} h^{2r} \ Q(r) . \end{eqnarray} and \begin{equation} Q(r) \ = \ \sum_{\sigma \vdash r} s_{\sigma}(1^{N_f}) \ s_{\sigma}...
1 vote
2 answers
513 views

What are all the transitive extensions of cyclic groups?

"Let $G$ be a transitive group of permutations on a given set of letters. Let a new fixed letter be adjoined to every permutation of $G$. Then a transitive group $H$ of permutations on the ...
2 votes
0 answers
283 views

Geometric or combinatorial interpretations of the (weak) Bruhat order?

$\DeclareMathOperator\Inv{Inv}$The weak Bruhat order on the symmetric group has a straightforward combinatorial interpretation: Consider a set of labelled balls $1,2,\dotsc,n$. Then for two ...
9 votes
1 answer
878 views

Littlewood Richardson rule and seminormal basis of Specht modules

Background Seminormal Basis of Specht modules of $\mathfrak{S}_n$ Let $\lambda$ be a partition of $n$. A $\lambda$-tableau is a bijection $\mathfrak{t}:\lambda \to \{1,2,...,n\}$. We say a ...
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(...
8 votes
2 answers
825 views

Linear relations among permutation matrices

Given a permutation $\sigma\in S_n$, let $P_\sigma$ denote the corresponding $n\times n$ permutation matrix. It is easy to see that for $n=3$, there is only one linear relation up to scaling given by $...
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 $d_C(\sigma,\mu)=1$,...
5 votes
0 answers
76 views

Finite trees with forests realizing all partitions

Removing interiors of some edges in a tree with $n$ vertices leaves a spanning-forest with $k$ connected components (given by subtrees) having respectively $\lambda_1,\ldots,\lambda_k$ vertices. We ...
3 votes
0 answers
144 views

Ext groups of tensor products of Specht modules

$\newcommand{\sym}{\mathfrak{S}}$ $\DeclareMathOperator{\Ext}{Ext}$ Let $k$ be a field of characteristic $p > 0$ and $a < p \leq b$ so that the $k\sym_a$-modules are semisimple but $k\sym_b$-...
4 votes
1 answer
106 views

Does a finite coresolution with Specht-filtered modules imply a Specht filtration?

$\newcommand{\sym}{\mathfrak{S}}$ $\newcommand{\rarr}{\rightarrow}$ Given a partition $\lambda$ of $n$ and a commutative ring $R$, writing $\sym_n$ for the symmetric group, there is a Specht module $S^...
4 votes
1 answer
214 views

A transitive action on a specific set

Let $G$ be a finite group and $\lambda\in G$, consider a set $$D^{p+*}_{G}(\lambda):=\{P\in S^{p+*}_G|P^{\lambda}=P=[P,\lambda]\}$$ where: $S^{p+*}_{G}$ denotes the set consisting of all non-trivial $...
3 votes
1 answer
241 views

Probability that k randomly drawn permutations can be arranged to compose to the identity

Consider the symmetric group $S_n$ under the uniform distribution. For integer $k > 1$, suppose we draw $k$ elements $s_1, \dots, s_k$ independently at random. What is the probability that there ...
3 votes
0 answers
155 views

Braid 2-groups, symmetric 2-groups

Is there an object which can be called a "braid 2-group"? Or a "symmetric 2-group"? (Note: not a braided 2-group) I am ignorant about 2-categories but I hope that a good candidate ...
14 votes
4 answers
2k views

A finite dimensional algebra associated to the symmetric group

Let $S_n$ be the finite group given as $n \times n$ permutation matrices. Define for a given field $K$ the algebra $B_n$ as the subalgebra of $M_n(K)$ generated by all permutation matrices of $S_n$. (...
2 votes
1 answer
75 views

Reference for the action of the Mullineux involution on a partition with an added good node

Could you help me to locate a reference in the literature to the following fact: if you act by the Mullineux involution $M$ on a partition $Q$ which is a union of a regular partition $P$ with an added ...
4 votes
1 answer
324 views

What is the $p$-regular partition corresponding to the sign representation of $S_{n}$ over a field of characteristic $p$?

I'm now interested in the modular representation of symmetric groups. It is well-known that for a fixed prime $p$, there is a bijection between the irreducible representations of $S_{n}$ over a field ...

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