Related papers: Generalised shuffle groups
This paper investigates the impossibility of certain $({n^2+n+k}_{n+1})$ configurations. Firstly, for $k=2$, the result of \cite{gropp1992non} that $\frac{n^2+n}{2}$ is even and $n+1$ is a perfect square or $\frac{n^2+n}{2}$ is odd and…
The "carries" when n random numbers are added base b form a Markov chain with an "amazing" transition matrix determined by Holte. This same Markov chain occurs in following the number of descents or rising sequences when n cards are…
We characterise and enumerate permutations that are sortable by n-4 passes through a stack. We conjecture the number of permutations sortable by n-5 passes, and also the form of a formula for the general case n-k, which involves a…
We consider a card guessing strategy for a stack of cards with two different types of cards, say $m_1$ cards of type red (heart or diamond) and $m_2$ cards of type black (clubs or spades). Given a deck of $M=m_1+m_2$ cards, we propose a…
We develop a combinatorial and order-theoretic framework for shuffles, understood as ordered concatenations of indexed families of sequences that induce total orders on the natural numbers. Motivated by the classical \v{S}arkovski\u{i}…
Let $p$ be a polynomial in several non-commuting variables with coefficients in a field $K$ of arbitrary characteristic. It has been conjectured that for any $n$, for $p$ multilinear, the image of $p$ evaluated on the set $M_n(K)$ of $n$ by…
We construct a family of PBWD bases for the positive subalgebras of quantum loop algebras of type $B_n$ and $G_2$, as well as their Lusztig and RTT (for type $B_n$ only) integral forms, in the new Drinfeld realization. We also establish a…
Let $\mathcal{SS}_k(n)$ be the family of {\it shuffle squares} in $[k]^{2n}$, words that can be partitioned into two disjoint identical subsequences. Let $\mathcal{RSS}_k(n)$ be the family of {\it reverse shuffle squares} in $[k]^{2n}$,…
In the chapter "Magic with a Matrix" in \emph{Hexaflexagons and Other Mathematical Diversions} (1988), Martin Gardner describes a delightful "party trick" to fill the squares of a $d$-by-$d$ chessboard with nonnegative integers such that…
We consider a game in which a blindfolded player attempts to set $n$ counters lying on the vertices of a rotating regular $n$-gon table simultaneously to $0$. When the counters count$\pmod{m}$ we simplify the argument of Bar Yehuda, Etzion,…
The game of SET is one of the best mathematical games ever. It is no wonder that people have tried to generalize it. We discuss existing generalizations of the game of SET to different groups. We concentrate on two types of generalization:…
A mixed graph is a set of vertices together with an edge set and an arc set. An $(m,n)$-mixed graph $G$ is a mixed graph whose edges are each assigned one of $m$ colours, and whose arcs are each assigned one of $n$ colours. A \emph{switch}…
Analogues of 1-shuffle elements for complex reflection groups of type $G(m,1,n)$ are introduced. A geometric interpretation for $G(m,1,n)$ in terms of rotational permutations of polygonal cards is given. We compute the eigenvalues, and…
We study the generalization of the game Lights Out in which the standard square grid board is replaced by a graph. We examine the probability that, when a graph is chosen uniformly at random from the set of graphs with $n$ vertices and $e$…
We consider the following game. A deck with $m$ copies of each of $n$ distinct cards is shuffled in a perfectly random way. The Guesser sequentially guesses the card from top to bottom. After each guess, the Guesser is informed whether the…
A generalized `$15$ puzzle' consists of an $n \times n$ numbered grid, with one missing number. A move in the game switches the position of the empty square with the position of one of its neighbors. We solve Diaconis' `15 puzzle problem'…
Let $k,p,q$ be three positive integers. A graph $G$ with order $n$ is said to be $k$-placeable if there are $k$ edge disjoint copies of $G$ in the complete graph on $n$ vertices. A $(p,\,q)$-graph is a graph of order $p$ with $q$ edges.…
The number of $n \times n$ matrices whose entries are either -1, 0, or 1, whose row- and column- sums are all 1, and such that in every row and every column the non-zero entries alternate in sign, is proved to be $[1!4! >...…
We discuss a notion of shuffle for trees which extends the usual notion of a shuffle for two natural numbers. We give several equivalent descriptions, and prove some algebraic and combinatorial properties. In addition, we characterize…
We demonstrate the existence of $K$-multimagic squares of order $N$ consisting of distinct integers whenever $N>2 K(K+1)$. This improves upon our earlier result in which we only required $N+1$ distinct integers. Additionally, we present a…