English

Random cyclations

Combinatorics 2007-05-23 v1

Abstract

Consider n unit intervals, say [1,2], [3,4], ..., [2n-1,2n]. Identify their endpoints in pairs at random, with all (2n-1)!! = (2n-1) (2n-3) ... 3 1 pairings being equally likely. The result is a collection of cycles of various lengths, and we investigate the distribution of these lengths. The distribution is similar to that of the distribution of the lengths of cycles in a random permutation, but it also exhibits some striking differences.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.math/0408031,
  title  = {Random cyclations},
  author = {Nicholas Pippenger},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:math/0408031},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

i+19 pp