Permutation Groups

Part 1
Definition
■ A permutation of a set A is a function
from A to A that is both one to one and
onto.
Array notation
■ Let A = {1, 2, 3, 4}
■ Here are two permutations of A:
Composition in Array Notation

1
Composition in Array Notation

1 4
Composition in Array Notation

1 4 2
Composition in Array Notation

1 4 2 3
Composition in Array Notation

1 4 2 3
Definition
■ A permutation group of a set A is a set
of permutations of A that forms a group
under function composition.
Example
■ The set of all permutations on {1,2,3} is
called the symmetric group on three
letters, denoted S3
■ There are 6 permutations possible:
S3
■ The permutations of {1,2,3}:
Is S3 a group?
■ Composition of functions is always
associative.
■ Identity is ε.
■ Since permutations are one to one and
onto, there exist inverses (which are
also permutations.
■ Therefore, S3 is group.
Computations in S3
Simplified computations in S3
■ αβα2β = α(βα)αβ = α(α2β)αβ
= α3(βα)β = ε(α2β)β
● = α2β2
● = α2
Double the exponent of α when
switching with β.
● You can simplify any expression in S3!
Symmetric groups, Sn
■ Let A = {1, 2, … n}. The symmetric
group on n letters, denoted Sn, is the
group of all permutations of A under
composition.
■ Sn is a group for the same reasons that
S3 is group.
■ |Sn| = n!
Symmetries of a square, D4

3 2

4 1

D4 ≤ S4
Why do we care?
■ Every group turns out to be a
permutation group on some set!
(To be proved later).
Cycle Notation
Disjoint cycles
■ Two permutations are disjoint if the sets
of elements moved by the permutations
are disjoint.
■ Every permutation can be represented
as a product of disjoint cycles.
Algorithm for disjoint cycles
■ Let permutation π be given.
■ Let a be the identity permutation,
represented by an empty list of cycles.
■ while there exists n with π(n) ≠ a(n):
start a new cycle with n
let b = n
while
Compostion in cycle notation
■ αβ = (1 2 3)(1 2)(3 4)
= (1 3 4)(2)
= (1 3 4)
■ βα = (1 2)(3 4)(1 2 3)
= (1)(2 4 3)
= (2 4 3)
Compostion in cycle notation
■ αβ = (1 2 3)(1 2)(3 4)
= (1 1 →1 →2 →3

■ βα = (1 2)(3 4)(1 2 3)