Algorithms for a class of infinite permutation groups. (Q928769)

From MaRDI portal
scientific article
Language Label Description Also known as
English
Algorithms for a class of infinite permutation groups.
scientific article

    Statements

    Algorithms for a class of infinite permutation groups. (English)
    0 references
    0 references
    11 June 2008
    0 references
    Motivated by the \(3n+1\) ``Collatz'' problem [see the survey by \textit{G. J. Wirsching}, Elem. Math. 55, No. 4, 142-155 (2000; Zbl 0999.11013)], the author studies groups of permutations defined on the integers such that for a chosen \(n\) they are affine functions on the residue classes modulo \(n\). (The author calls these `residue-class wise affine' groups, short RCWA.) The underlying mathematics has been studied by the author before [in Adv. Appl. Math. 39, No. 3, 322-328 (2007; Zbl 1146.11015)].) The paper under review describes basic algorithms (such as: element arithmetic, direct product, wreath product, transitivity tests) for working with such groups, as implemented in his \texttt{GAP} package \texttt{RCWA}. Methods for element order or group membership only are provided for particular well-behaved cases. (The general problem is known to be not algorithmically solvable.)
    0 references
    0 references
    0 references
    0 references
    0 references
    computational group theory
    0 references
    infinite permutation groups
    0 references
    residue-class-wise affine groups
    0 references
    \(3n+1\) conjecture
    0 references
    Collatz conjecture
    0 references
    GAP
    0 references
    \(3n+1\) problem
    0 references
    Collatz problem
    0 references
    residue-class-wide affine mappings
    0 references
    0 references
    0 references
    0 references