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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The sum of the signs of conjugacy classes in the symmetric group S_n [duplicate]

Let $r$ be the number of conjugacy classes of the symmetric group $S_n$ whose sign is $1$, i.e. \begin{equation} r := \#\{c \in \text{Conj} (S_n): \text{sgn} (c) = 1 \}. \end{equation} Let $s$ be the ...
6 votes
0 answers
77 views

The meet of two dominant permutations in weak order of $S_n$

A permutation is called dominant if its Lehmer code is a partition, or equivalently if it avoids the pattern $132$. I can prove that given a permutation $v\in S_n$, there is a unique dominant ...
26 votes
6 answers
2k 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 ...
3 votes
0 answers
94 views

Plethysm and wreath product

I am looking for a proof about the link between plethysm and wreath product. It is a well-known fact, being use extensively in many papers, but I can't find a good reference. Everything that follows ...
4 votes
0 answers
207 views

Detecting symmetries in polynomials that lead to nice geometric properties

If we plot the single variable polynomial $p(x) = (x^2-1)^2$, it is easy to see that it has a nice property: all of its local minima are actually global minima. In particular, it has precisely two ...
2 votes
0 answers
195 views

Using the Dold-Thom Theorem to define \'etale cohomology

For reasonable spaces $X$, the Dold-Thom Theorem states that $\pi_i(SP(X)) \cong \tilde{H}_i(X)$ where $SP(X) = \bigsqcup_i \mathrm{Sym}^i(X)$. There is a purely algebro-geometric realization of this ...
15 votes
1 answer
501 views

Branching rule of $S_n$ and Springer theory

Let $u\in\mathrm{GL}_n$ be a unipotent element, let $\mathcal{B}_u$ be the variety of Borel subgroups containing $u$, and let $d=\dim \mathcal{B}_u$. Then Springer theory tells us that $H^{2d}(\...
1 vote
0 answers
114 views

Relationship between the symmetric group representation (Specht module) of a Young diagram and the Young diagram obtained by deleting one row

Suppose $\lambda$ is a Young diagram, and $\lambda'$ is obtained by deleting one particular row of $\lambda$. Is there any relationship between the symmetric group representation (Specht module) ...
8 votes
0 answers
156 views

An identity for characters of the symmetric group

I am looking for a reference for the identity $$\chi_\lambda(C)=\frac{\dim(V_\lambda)}{|C|}\sum_{p\in P_\lambda,\,q\in Q_\lambda,\,pq\in C}\operatorname{sgn}(q)$$ for the irreducible characters of the ...
5 votes
1 answer
184 views

What is the effect of tensoring with the sign representation on irreducible modules for a Type D Weyl group?

Given an integer $n \geq 4$, consider the Weyl groups $W(B_n)$ and $W(D_n)$ of types $B_n$ and $D_n$, respectively, and consider their representation theory over the field of complex numbers. The Weyl ...
2 votes
1 answer
105 views

When are these irreducible complex representations for the Type D Weyl group self-dual?

Given an integer $n \geq 4$, consider the Weyl groups $W(B_n)$ and $W(D_n)$ of types $B_n$ and $D_n$, respectively, and consider their representation theory over the field of complex numbers. The Weyl ...
1 vote
1 answer
119 views

Equivalence of dihedral and symmetric group actions on a specialized real algebra

Edit: fixed misaligned indentation for "Update x and y by", below. I also had two little ideas that might help. consider first the case where the digit 7 is not allowed, simplifying the ...
0 votes
0 answers
201 views

On characters of the symmetric group: Part 2

This question is related to my earlier MO quest. For an integer partition $\lambda$, denote $\ell(\lambda)=$ length, $\vert\lambda\vert=$ size and $\lambda=$ conjugate of $\lambda$. Allow to write $\...
2 votes
0 answers
325 views

On characters of the symmetric group: Part 1

Given an integer partition $\lambda$, denote $\ell(\lambda)=$ length, $\vert\lambda\vert=$ size and $\lambda=$ conjugate of $\lambda$. Allow to write $\lambda\vdash n$ either as $(\lambda_1,\dots,\...
29 votes
0 answers
787 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 ...
11 votes
1 answer
783 views

Dual of a Specht module

For a partition $\mu$ of $n$, let $S^{\mu}$ be the associated Specht module, defined over $\mathbb{Z}$. For any field $k$, we can tensor $S^{\mu}$ with $k$ to get a representation $S^{\mu}_k$ of the ...
4 votes
0 answers
142 views

Major indices of standard tableaux of shapes obtained from addable cells of a given Young diagram

I have a "very" indirect proof that the following fact is true for every Young diagram $\lambda \vdash n$ and every $r \in \{0,\dotsc,n\}$: \begin{equation} d_\lambda = \sum_{a \in \mathrm{...
3 votes
1 answer
202 views

Asymptotics for number of $p$-regular partitions of $n$

The number of simple modules $D^{\lambda}=S^{\lambda}/S^{\lambda}\cap (S^{\lambda})^{\bot}$ of the symmetric group over a field $k$ such that $\text{char}(k)=p > 0$ is the number of $p$-regular ...
4 votes
0 answers
250 views

What is $\dim D^{\lambda}$ for the symmetric group?

What are the dimensions of the simple modules $D^{\lambda}=S^{\lambda}/S^{\lambda}\cap (S^{\lambda})^{\perp}$ for the modular representation theory of $S_n$, i.e. $\operatorname{char}(k)=p>0$? I ...
12 votes
7 answers
15k views

Easy proof of the uncountability of bijections on natural numbers

Is there an easy proof of the uncountability of bijections on natural numbers? The proof that I have in mind is as follows - $\text{Gal }(\overline{\mathbb Q}/\mathbb Q)$ is a proper uncountable ...
3 votes
0 answers
302 views

What is known about representations of $S_n$ in other categories?

Is anything known about representations of the symmetric group $S_n$ for categories other than $\textbf{Vect}_k$, vector spaces and linear maps over a field $k$. That is, a group $G$ can be considered ...
25 votes
3 answers
3k views

Simplicity of alternating group $A_n$

I am teaching an introductory group theory course, and it has come to the inevitable proof that $A_n$ is simple for $n\geq 5$. Now, there seem to be a number of proofs that I can find – one the "...
8 votes
1 answer
590 views

A question regarding symmetrizing the tensor product of vectors in two different ways

Let $V = \mathbb{C}^m$, endowed with the standard hermitian inner product which we will denote by $\langle \cdot, \cdot \rangle$, $n$ be a positive integer and $\Sigma_n$ denote the symmetric group on ...
1 vote
1 answer
106 views

Minimal dominant permutation in weak order

Consider $S_\infty$ as a Coxeter group with Coxeter generators the adjacent transpositions $s_i$, $i\geq 1$. We view elements of $S_\infty$ as functions $u:\mathbb{N}\to\mathbb{N}$. Recall the Lehmer ...
7 votes
0 answers
97 views

Optimizing computations with nilpotents in a group algebra

Of course, I have a very concrete problem at hand, which has been vexing me for about a year now. But let me start with a question that has a better chance of having been answered. Let $G$ be a ...
11 votes
1 answer
470 views

Is the appearance of Schur functions a coincidence?

The Schur functions are symmetric functions which appear in several different contexts: The characters of the irreducible representations for the symmetric group (under the characteristic isometry). ...
7 votes
1 answer
294 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 $$[\sigma, \tau] = \sigma\circ\tau - \tau\circ\sigma,$$ ...
5 votes
0 answers
193 views

Subgroups of the symmetric group and binary relations

Motivation The following came up in my work recently. (NB this is the motivation, not the question I'm asking. You can skip to the actual question below, which is self-contained, but not self-...
7 votes
1 answer
309 views

Formula for the matrix units in the Gelfand-Tsetlin basis of the symmetric group algebra?

Are there any formulas for the irreducible off-diagonal elements $E^{\lambda}_{ij}$ in the Gelfand-Tsetlin basis of the symmetric group algebra $\mathbb{C}[S_n]$? Here is the context for my question. ...
7 votes
2 answers
329 views

Basis parametrized by the symmetric group elements for the coinvariant algebra

Let $A_n$ be the coinvariant algebra of the symmetric group $S_n$. This algebra has vector space dimension $n!$. $A_n$ is the quotient algebra of the polynomial ring $K[x_1,...,x_n]$ by the elementary ...
7 votes
0 answers
119 views

The quotient of a higher Specht polynomial over the corresponding regular Specht polynomial

I'll need some notation before I can phrase my question, so please bare with me for a little. I'll try to get there as fast as possible (it's also my first MO question...). Let $\lambda$ be a ...
5 votes
1 answer
234 views

Maximal subgroup in $S_{10}$

Consider the set of unordered pairs $\{(i,j)\}$, $i<j, i=1,2, \ldots, 2k+1$, $j=i+1, \dots, 2k+2$, and the group $G=S_{k(2k+1)}$ of all permutations of those pairs. Is the subgroup of the ...
5 votes
1 answer
110 views

geometric meaning to pairs of SYT indexing for the basis of cohomology ring of full flag variety

For Grassmannians, the Schubert cells can be indexed by certain Young Tableaux, whose partition determines the dimensions of intersections of the chosen subspace with the standard complete flag. For ...
9 votes
1 answer
824 views

Clebsch–Gordan decomposition formula for algebraic groups

$\DeclareMathOperator\SL{SL}$There is a well-known Clebsch–Gordan decomposition formula for irreducible representations of $\SL_2$. If $V_n$ denotes the unique $n+1$-dimensional irreducible ...
7 votes
2 answers
256 views

Decomposition of tensors into symmetry classes according to Schur functors

I am mainly looking for references on this subject, as I was unable to find any, at least any that answers what I am looking for to a satisfactory degree. As it is well-known and extremely easy to ...
3 votes
0 answers
106 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 $...
2 votes
0 answers
157 views

The canonical automorphism of the symmetric group

Let $S_n$ be the symmetric group of order $n$. Denoting simple transpositions by $\sigma_i$ the collection $\sigma_1, \dots, \sigma_{n-1}$ generates $S_n$ subject to the following relations: $$ \sigma ...
12 votes
1 answer
377 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 ...
6 votes
1 answer
501 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. ...
0 votes
1 answer
70 views

Analog of self-conjugate representation of symmetric group for Hecke algebra

Consider a symmetric group $S_n$. It is generated by generators $\sigma_1\dotsc\sigma_{n-1}$ that satisfy the following relations: Square relations: $\sigma_k^2=1,\qquad k=1\ldots n-1$. Braid ...
2 votes
2 answers
206 views

is the embedding $\mathrm{Sp}_{2m}(p)\leqslant S_{p^m-1}$ possible?

Is the following embedding possible? $\mathrm{Sp}_{2m}(p)\leqslant S_{p^m-1}$ where $S_{p^m-1}$ is a symmetric group and $p$ is prime. I see that when $p=3$ and $m=3$, the order of the former does ...
7 votes
1 answer
318 views

Decomposition of a tensor product of representations of $\mathrm{GL}_l(\mathbb{C})$ and decomposition of Littlewood-Richardson numbers?

For a positive integer $m$, denote $T(m)=\{(\lambda_1,\dots,\lambda_m)\in \mathbb{Z}^m:\lambda_1\ge \lambda_2\ge\dots \ge\lambda_m\}$ and $T^+(m)=\{ (\lambda_1,\dots,\lambda_m)\in \mathbb{Z}^m:\...
1 vote
1 answer
46 views

Hamiltonian edge colouring of complete graphs with even numbers of vertices

Edges of the complete graph on $2n$ vertices can be colored with $2n-1$ colors such that only edges of different colors intersect. Can this always be done such that for every pair of different colors ...
18 votes
8 answers
14k views

"Natural" generating sets for symmetric groups

The symmetric group on $n$ letters has many sets of generators. Some of them are more natural than others, eg the set $(i,i+1)$ of adjacent transpositions (natural with respect to the type A Weyl ...
0 votes
0 answers
104 views

I search representation in terms of Schur Q-function

Consider next sum $$ Z_0^{N, N_f} = \sum_{r=0}^{N N_f} \sum_{\lambda \vdash r }s_{\lambda}(1^{N_f}) s_{\lambda} (1^{N_f}) = \det_{1\le i, j \le N} \ \binom{2 N_f}{N_f-i +j} = s_{N^{N_f}} \left(...
0 votes
1 answer
609 views

How does Sage order the elements of the symmetric group?

In Sage, the symmetric group is a list. For instance if G = SymmetricGroup(3), we have \begin{align*} G[0] & = e \\ G[1] & = (1,3,2)\\ G[2] & = (1,2,3) \\ G[3] &= (2,3)\\ G[4] &= (...
8 votes
2 answers
261 views

One element commutation classes of reduced decompositions of the longest element of the Weyl group

For the symmetric group on $n$ objects $S_n$ the question of how to write its longest element $w_0$ as a reduced decomposition is an important combinatorical problem. As example, in this question the ...
3 votes
1 answer
282 views

Proof of a combinatorial identity for a sum over partitions of sets giving rise to a symmetric polynomial?

Consider a set $N$ with elements $n_1, n_2, \dots, n_k$ which are distinct integers. Introduce the notation $N_{i=1,2,\dots,s}$ for the $s$ blocks of a set partition of $N$. Consider a supplementary ...
3 votes
0 answers
49 views

Are there invariants of configurations of points in space obtainable via the moduli space of solutions of the Berry-Robbins problem?

Let $C_n(\mathbb{R}^3)$ denote the configuration space of $n$ distinct points in Euclidean $3$-space and let $U(n)/T^n$ denote the flag manifold associated to the unitary group $U(n)$, i.e. the ...
4 votes
1 answer
159 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 $...

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