Quotients of the Malvenuto-Reutenauer algebra and permutation - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Then the Malvenuto-Reutenauer algebra MR is to be defined to be the span of ∪ n S n with this multiplication. (Also called the algebra of free quasi-symmetric functions.) Then multiplication of exponential generating functions, when applied to permutations can be stated in the following way: For a permutation π , let Φ( π ) = x | π | | π | ! , where | π | is the length of π , and extend Φ by linearity. Then for any two permutations π and σ , Φ( π · σ ) = Φ( π )Φ( σ ) ; i.e., Φ is a homomorphism from MR to the algebra of formal power series in x .

The computation that we did for the Eulerian polynomials works in exactly the same way in MR, and it gives the following formula: � ∞ ∞ � � − 1 π ∈ S n t des ( π )+ 1 π � � 1 − t 12 · · · n = 1 + , ( 1 − t ) n + 1 n = 0 n = 1

The computation that we did for the Eulerian polynomials works in exactly the same way in MR, and it gives the following formula: � ∞ ∞ � � − 1 π ∈ S n t des ( π )+ 1 π � � 1 − t 12 · · · n = 1 + , ( 1 − t ) n + 1 n = 0 n = 1 Our formula for the exponential generating function for Eulerian polynomials is obtained by applying the homomorphism Φ to this formula.

The computation that we did for the Eulerian polynomials works in exactly the same way in MR, and it gives the following formula: � ∞ ∞ � � − 1 π ∈ S n t des ( π )+ 1 π � � 1 − t 12 · · · n = 1 + , ( 1 − t ) n + 1 n = 0 n = 1 Our formula for the exponential generating function for Eulerian polynomials is obtained by applying the homomorphism Φ to this formula. But there are other homomorphisms that we can apply that give us more information.

Inversions of permutations An inversion of the permutation π = a 1 · · · a n is a pair ( i , j ) with i < j such that a i > a j . Let inv ( π ) be the number of inversions of the permutation π .

Inversions of permutations An inversion of the permutation π = a 1 · · · a n is a pair ( i , j ) with i < j such that a i > a j . Let inv ( π ) be the number of inversions of the permutation π . Inversions are compatible with the Malvenuto-Reutenauer algebra in the following way:

We define the q -factorial n ! q to be 1 · ( 1 + q ) · ( 1 + q + q 2 ) · · · ( 1 + q + · · · q n − 1 ) . There is also a variation ( q ) n = ( 1 − q ) n n ! q = ( 1 − q )( 1 − q 2 ) · · · ( 1 − q n ) . � m � We define the q -binomial coefficient by n � m � m ! q ( q ) m = = . n n ! q ( m − n )! q ( q ) n ( q ) m − n

We define the q -factorial n ! q to be 1 · ( 1 + q ) · ( 1 + q + q 2 ) · · · ( 1 + q + · · · q n − 1 ) . There is also a variation ( q ) n = ( 1 − q ) n n ! q = ( 1 − q )( 1 − q 2 ) · · · ( 1 − q n ) . � m � We define the q -binomial coefficient by n � m � m ! q ( q ) m = = . n n ! q ( m − n )! q ( q ) n ( q ) m − n Theorem. For any two permutations π and σ of lengths m and n we have � m + n � � q inv ( τ ) = q inv ( π )+ inv ( σ ) . m τ ∈ π · σ

The Eulerian generating function for the sequence u 0 , u 1 , . . . is ∞ x n � u n . n ! q n = 0

The Eulerian generating function for the sequence u 0 , u 1 , . . . is ∞ x n � u n . n ! q n = 0 Eulerian generating functions multiply just like exponential generating functions but with q -binomial coefficients instead of binomial coefficients, i.e., � m + n � x m · x n x m + n = . m ! q n ! q m ( m + n )! q

The Eulerian generating function for the sequence u 0 , u 1 , . . . is ∞ x n � u n . n ! q n = 0 Eulerian generating functions multiply just like exponential generating functions but with q -binomial coefficients instead of binomial coefficients, i.e., � m + n � x m · x n x m + n = . m ! q n ! q m ( m + n )! q Then the Eulerian generating function for π · σ , where | π | = m and | σ | = n , and inversions are weighted by q , is � m + n � x m + n = q inv ( π ) x m · q inv ( σ ) x n q inv ( π )+ inv ( σ ) . m ( m + n )! q m ! q n ! q

In other words the linear map from MR to the ring of Eulerian generating functions given by π �→ q inv ( π ) x | π | | π | ! q is a homomorphism.

In other words the linear map from MR to the ring of Eulerian generating functions given by π �→ q inv ( π ) x | π | | π | ! q is a homomorphism. So if we define the q -Eulerian polynomials A n ( t , q ) by � t des ( π )+ 1 q inv ( π ) A n ( t , q ) = π ∈ S n then x n 1 A n ( t , q ) � 1 − te q ( x ) = 1 + , ( 1 − t ) n + 1 n ! q n = 1 where ∞ x n � e q ( x ) = . n ! q n = 0

Are there any other permutation statistics with the same property?

Are there any other permutation statistics with the same property? A trivial example is the number of non-inversions.

Are there any other permutation statistics with the same property? A trivial example is the number of non-inversions. A more interesting example is the inverse major index (the major index of π − 1 ).

Are there any other permutation statistics with the same property? A trivial example is the number of non-inversions. A more interesting example is the inverse major index (the major index of π − 1 ). The descent set of a permutation π = a 1 · · · a n is the set { i : a i > a i + 1 } . The major index maj ( π ) is the sum of the descents.

Are there any other permutation statistics with the same property? A trivial example is the number of non-inversions. A more interesting example is the inverse major index (the major index of π − 1 ). The descent set of a permutation π = a 1 · · · a n is the set { i : a i > a i + 1 } . The major index maj ( π ) is the sum of the descents. So the same q -Eulerian polynomials A n ( t , q ) count permutations by descents and inverse major index.

Up-down permutations Another example of a simple exponential generating function formula for permutations is � ∞ � − 1 ∞ ( − 1 ) n x 2 n x 2 n � � = E 2 n ( 2 n )! , ( 2 n )! n = 0 n = 0 where E 2 n is the number of up-down permutations a 1 · · · a 2 n of [ n ] satifying a 1 < a 2 > a 3 < a 4 > · · · < a 2 n .

Up-down permutations Another example of a simple exponential generating function formula for permutations is � ∞ � − 1 ∞ ( − 1 ) n x 2 n x 2 n � � = E 2 n ( 2 n )! , ( 2 n )! n = 0 n = 0 where E 2 n is the number of up-down permutations a 1 · · · a 2 n of [ n ] satifying a 1 < a 2 > a 3 < a 4 > · · · < a 2 n . It’s not hard to show that there is an analogue of this formula in the Malvenuto-Reutenauer algebra: � ∞ � − 1 ∞ � � � ( − 1 ) n 12 · · · ( 2 n ) = π, n = 0 n = 0 π ∈ U 2 n where U 2 n is the set of up-down permutations of [ 2 n ] .

So � ∞ � − 1 ∞ ( − 1 ) n x 2 n E 2 n ( q ) x 2 n � � = ( 2 n )! , ( 2 n )! q n = 0 n = 0 where E 2 n ( q ) counts up-down permutations of [ 2 n ] by inversions, or by inverse major index.

MR-compatible permutation statistics We might also look for statistics with a more general property. We will call a permutation statistic stat (i.e., any function defined on the set of permutations) MR-compatible if it has the following property:

MR-compatible permutation statistics We might also look for statistics with a more general property. We will call a permutation statistic stat (i.e., any function defined on the set of permutations) MR-compatible if it has the following property: For any two permutations π and σ , the multiset { stat ( τ ) : τ ∈ π · σ } depends only on stat ( π ) , stat ( σ ) , | π | , and | σ | .

MR-compatible permutation statistics We might also look for statistics with a more general property. We will call a permutation statistic stat (i.e., any function defined on the set of permutations) MR-compatible if it has the following property: For any two permutations π and σ , the multiset { stat ( τ ) : τ ∈ π · σ } depends only on stat ( π ) , stat ( σ ) , | π | , and | σ | . Any permutation statistic gives an equivalence relation on permutations by π ≡ σ if stat ( π ) = stat ( σ ) and | π | = | σ | Equivalently, we can define an equivalence relation on permutations to be compatible if it comes from a compatible permutation statistic.

MR-compatible permutation statistics We might also look for statistics with a more general property. We will call a permutation statistic stat (i.e., any function defined on the set of permutations) MR-compatible if it has the following property: For any two permutations π and σ , the multiset { stat ( τ ) : τ ∈ π · σ } depends only on stat ( π ) , stat ( σ ) , | π | , and | σ | . Any permutation statistic gives an equivalence relation on permutations by π ≡ σ if stat ( π ) = stat ( σ ) and | π | = | σ | Equivalently, we can define an equivalence relation on permutations to be compatible if it comes from a compatible permutation statistic. (Different permutations statistics could give the same equivalence relation, but in practice the permutation statistics are easier to describe.)

There are a number of such known statistics related to trees, tableaux, and descents of permutations.

There are a number of such known statistics related to trees, tableaux, and descents of permutations. Interesting question: Can we describe or classify all MR-compatible equivalence relations?

There are a number of such known statistics related to trees, tableaux, and descents of permutations. Interesting question: Can we describe or classify all MR-compatible equivalence relations? Unfortunately I have nothing to say about this question. I will discuss only some MR-compatible statistics related to the descents of permutations.

To see why MR is related to descents of permutations, we’ll look at another way of representing it.

To see why MR is related to descents of permutations, we’ll look at another way of representing it. Let’s extend the concept of standardization to words with repetitions: in comparing two occurrences of the same number, the one on the left is considered smaller. So st ( 3212423 ) = 5213746 For any permutation π ∈ MR, let W ( π ) be the sum of all words whose standardization is π , in the algebra generated by the free monoid on { 1 , 2 , 3 . . . } .

To see why MR is related to descents of permutations, we’ll look at another way of representing it. Let’s extend the concept of standardization to words with repetitions: in comparing two occurrences of the same number, the one on the left is considered smaller. So st ( 3212423 ) = 5213746 For any permutation π ∈ MR, let W ( π ) be the sum of all words whose standardization is π , in the algebra generated by the free monoid on { 1 , 2 , 3 . . . } . Theorem. � W ( π ) W ( σ ) = W ( τ ) τ ∈ π · σ Thus MR is isomorphic to the algebra generated by the W ( π ) (with π �→ W ( π ) ).

Now let’s map letters to commuting variables: i �→ x i . The image of MR is called the algebra of quasi-symmetric functions , denoted QSym.

Now let’s map letters to commuting variables: i �→ x i . The image of MR is called the algebra of quasi-symmetric functions , denoted QSym. Example: What are the words whose standardization is 312?

Now let’s map letters to commuting variables: i �→ x i . The image of MR is called the algebra of quasi-symmetric functions , denoted QSym. Example: What are the words whose standardization is 312? They are the words i 3 i 1 i 2 such that i 1 ≤ i 2 < i 3 . So the image of W ( 312 ) is � x i 1 x i 2 x i 3 i 1 ≤ i 2 < i 3 For any permutation π , the strict inequalities occur when i + 1 is to the left of i , and these are the descents of π − 1 .

It’s convenient to work with descents of permutations rather than descents of their inverses, so we will denote the commutative image of W ( π ) by F π − 1 . So F π depends only on the descent set of π (and the length of π ).

It’s convenient to work with descents of permutations rather than descents of their inverses, so we will denote the commutative image of W ( π ) by F π − 1 . So F π depends only on the descent set of π (and the length of π ). For example, if π has length 8 and descent set { 3 , 5 } then � F π = x i 1 x i 2 · · · x i 8 where i 1 ≤ i 2 ≤ i 3 < i 4 ≤ i 5 < i 6 ≤ i 7 ≤ i 8 ; the strict inequalities come after the positions of the descents.

It’s convenient to work with descents of permutations rather than descents of their inverses, so we will denote the commutative image of W ( π ) by F π − 1 . So F π depends only on the descent set of π (and the length of π ). For example, if π has length 8 and descent set { 3 , 5 } then � F π = x i 1 x i 2 · · · x i 8 where i 1 ≤ i 2 ≤ i 3 < i 4 ≤ i 5 < i 6 ≤ i 7 ≤ i 8 ; the strict inequalities come after the positions of the descents. The distinct F π are linearly independent, so if we know the quasi-symmetric generating function for a set of permutations, we know how many permutations are in the set with each descent set.

In working with descent sets rather than inverse descent sets, it’s convenient to look at the Malvenuto-Reutenauer algebra a little differently. We define another operation on permutations by � π ∗ σ = τ τ − 1 ∈ π − 1 · σ − 1 The span of � n S n with the operation ∗ is isomorphic to MR , since it is just a relabeling of the basis elements. The operation ∗ can be described most easily in terms of shuffles.

✁ Shuffles Let us now redefine a permutation to be any sequence of distinct integers. Two permutations are disjoint if they have no elements in common.

Shuffles Let us now redefine a permutation to be any sequence of distinct integers. Two permutations are disjoint if they have no elements in common. If π and σ are disjoint permutations, let π ✁ σ be the set of all shuffles of π and σ . Example: π = 1 4 2 σ = 3 7 5 8

Shuffles Let us now redefine a permutation to be any sequence of distinct integers. Two permutations are disjoint if they have no elements in common. If π and σ are disjoint permutations, let π ✁ σ be the set of all shuffles of π and σ . Example: π = 1 4 2 σ = 3 7 5 8 1 4 2 3 7 5 8

Shuffles Let us now redefine a permutation to be any sequence of distinct integers. Two permutations are disjoint if they have no elements in common. If π and σ are disjoint permutations, let π ✁ σ be the set of all shuffles of π and σ . Example: π = 1 4 2 σ = 3 7 5 8 1 4 2 3 7 5 8 1 4 3 7 5 2 8

To compute π ∗ σ , we first add | π | to each entry of σ , obtaining a permutation σ ′ of {| π | + 1 , · · · , | π | + | σ |} . Then we sum the elements of π ✁ σ ′ . For example, if π = 12 and σ = 1 then σ ′ = 3 and π ✁ σ ′ = 12 ✁ 3 = { 123 , 132 , 312 } , so π ∗ σ = 123 + 132 + 312.

We have seen that π ∗ σ depends only on the descent sets of π and σ . However a stronger property holds. Theorem. (Stanley). Let π and σ be disjoint permutations. Then the number of permutations in π ✁ σ with descent set A depends only on D ( π ) , D ( σ ) , and A .

We have seen that π ∗ σ depends only on the descent sets of π and σ . However a stronger property holds. Theorem. (Stanley). Let π and σ be disjoint permutations. Then the number of permutations in π ✁ σ with descent set A depends only on D ( π ) , D ( σ ) , and A . This result is a consequence of Richard Stanley’s theory of P-partitions.

We have seen that π ∗ σ depends only on the descent sets of π and σ . However a stronger property holds. Theorem. (Stanley). Let π and σ be disjoint permutations. Then the number of permutations in π ✁ σ with descent set A depends only on D ( π ) , D ( σ ) , and A . This result is a consequence of Richard Stanley’s theory of P-partitions. Note that we do not require that all the entries of σ be greater than the entries of π , only that π and σ be disjoint. (More generally π and σ could be words with repetitions, as long as they are disjoint.)

We have seen that π ∗ σ depends only on the descent sets of π and σ . However a stronger property holds. Theorem. (Stanley). Let π and σ be disjoint permutations. Then the number of permutations in π ✁ σ with descent set A depends only on D ( π ) , D ( σ ) , and A . This result is a consequence of Richard Stanley’s theory of P-partitions. Note that we do not require that all the entries of σ be greater than the entries of π , only that π and σ be disjoint. (More generally π and σ could be words with repetitions, as long as they are disjoint.)

Shuffle-compatible permutation statistics With our new definition of permutations, let us call two permutations equivalent if they have the same standardization: 132 ≡ 253 ≡ 174 . A permutation statistic is a function defined on permutations that takes the same value on equivalent permutations. For example if f is a permutation statistic then f ( 132 ) = f ( 253 ) = f ( 174 ) . A permutation statistic stat is shuffle-compatible if it has the property that the multiset { stat ( τ ) : τ ∈ π ✁ σ } depends only on stat ( π ) and stat ( σ ) (and the lengths of π and σ ).

A permutation statistic is a descent statistic if it depends only on the descent set. Some important descent statistics: ◮ the descent set D ( π ) ◮ the descent number des ( π ) = # D ( π ) ◮ the major index maj ( π ) = � i ∈ D ( π ) i ◮ the comajor index comaj ( π ) = � i ∈ D ( π ) ( n − i ) , where | π | = n . ◮ the peak set P ( π ) = { i : π ( i − 1 ) < π ( i ) > π ( i + 1 ) ◮ the peak number pk ( π ) = # P ( π ) ◮ the ordered pair ( des , maj ) ◮ the ordered pair ( pk , des ) An important permutation statistic that is not a descent statistic is the number of inversions.

All of the above descent statistics are shuffle-compatible. This was proved by Richard Stanley, using P-partitions for des, maj, and ( des , maj ) , and by John Stembridge, using enriched P-partitions, for the peak set and the peak number.

Question: Can we describe all shuffle-compatible permutation statistics and their algebras?

Question: Can we describe all shuffle-compatible permutation statistics and their algebras? To make the problem a little easier, we consider only shuffle-compatible descent statistics. (I don’t know of any other kind of shuffle compatible statistics.)

Algebras Note that for any shuffle-compatible permutation statistic stat we get an algebra A stat : First we define an equivalence relation ≡ stat on permutations by π ≡ stat σ if π and σ have the same length and stat ( π ) = stat ( σ ) . We define A stat by taking as a basis all equivalence classes of permutations, with multiplication defined as follows: To multiply two equivalence classes, choose disjoint representatives π and σ of the equivalence classes [ π ] and [ σ ] and define their product to be � [ π ][ σ ] = [ τ ] . τ ∈ π ✁ σ By the definition of a shuffle-compatible permutation statistic, this product is well-defined.

So A D is QSym and each of the other algebras is a quotient of QSym. We would like to describe them “explicitly” if possible. In each case we can describe this quotient in terms of evaluations of the variables (though it’s not always straightforward, especially when peaks are involved).

Given a quotient algebra of QSym, in order for it to be associated with a shuffle-compatible equivalence relation, the distinct images of the F π must be linearly independent (over the rationals).

Given a quotient algebra of QSym, in order for it to be associated with a shuffle-compatible equivalence relation, the distinct images of the F π must be linearly independent (over the rationals). As a first example, we’ll look at the comajor index. If we set x i = q i z for i ≥ 0 in F π , where | π | = n , we get q comaj ( π ) z n ( q ) n So we get the algebra of Eulerian generating functions directly as a quotient of QSym, and the quotient algebra A comaj is essentially the algebra of Eulerian generating functions. (We could have gotten maj instead of comaj by reversing left-to-right.)

To get the descent number we need to do something a little more complicated. If we evaluate F π at x 0 = x 1 = · · · = x λ = z x λ + 1 = x λ + 2 = · · · = 0 � λ + n − des ( π ) � z n . We think of this as a function of λ . we get n

To get the descent number we need to do something a little more complicated. If we evaluate F π at x 0 = x 1 = · · · = x λ = z x λ + 1 = x λ + 2 = · · · = 0 � λ + n − des ( π ) � z n . We think of this as a function of λ . we get n � λ + n − i � As polynomials in λ , the polynomials for i = 0 , . . . , n − 1 n are linearly independent, and they form a basis for the polynomials of degree at most n that vanish at − 1 (for n > 0). So the algebra A des is isomorphic to the algebra spanned by p ( λ ) z n , where p ( λ ) is a polynomial of degree at most n that vanishes at − 1.

Another way to look at this algebra is to take the generating functions on λ of such polynomials: ∞ � λ + n − i � t i � t λ = ( 1 − t ) n + 1 n λ = 0 So instead of multiplying polynomials in λ , we can take Hadamard products of rational functions of t : � � � a m t m ∗ b n t n = a n b n t n m n n

Similarly for the ordered pair ( des , comaj ) we take the homomorphism from QSym in which we evaluate quasi-symmetric functions at � q i z for 0 ≤ i ≤ λ x i �→ 0 for i > λ Here the image of F π , where | π | = n , is � λ + n − des ( π ) � q comaj ( π ) z n . n If we apply this homomorphism to our earlier example of Eulerian polynomials, we count permutations π according to the descent number of π and the descent number and comajor index of π − 1 ,

The peak number algebra We can describe the peak number algebra in a similar, but somewhat more complicated way. Instead of the rational functions t k / ( 1 − t ) n + 1 , we have the rational functions P n , j ( t ) = 2 2 j − 1 t j ( 1 + t ) n − 2 j + 1 ( 1 − t ) n + 1 � � j ( 1 + t ) n + 1 = 1 4 t , ( 1 − t ) n + 1 ( 1 + t ) 2 2 for 1 ≤ j ≤ ⌊ ( n + 1 ) / 2 ⌋ , corresponding to permutation of length n with j − 1 peaks.

✁ Then coefficients in the expansion of P m , i ( t ) ∗ P n , j ( t ) as a linear combination of the P m + n , k ( t ) are the structure constants for the peak number algebra (John Stembridge).

Then coefficients in the expansion of P m , i ( t ) ∗ P n , j ( t ) as a linear combination of the P m + n , k ( t ) are the structure constants for the peak number algebra (John Stembridge). More precisely, suppose that | π | = m , | σ | = n , pk ( π ) = i , and pk ( σ ) = j . Then the number of permutations in π ✁ σ with k peaks is the coefficient c k in the expansion � P m , i ( t ) ∗ P n , j ( t ) = c k P m + n , k ( t ) . k

Peaks and descents It is possible to generalize both the descent number algebra and the peak number algebra:

Peaks and descents It is possible to generalize both the descent number algebra and the peak number algebra: The ordered pair ( des , pk ) is shuffle-compatible.

Peaks and descents It is possible to generalize both the descent number algebra and the peak number algebra: The ordered pair ( des , pk ) is shuffle-compatible. There exists a permutation of length n > 0 with j − 1 peaks and k − 1 descents if and only if 1 ≤ j ≤ ( n + 1 ) / 2 and j ≤ k ≤ n + 1 − j . For such n , j , k let PD n , j , k ( t , y ) = t j ( y + t ) k − j ( 1 + yt ) n − j − k + 1 ( 1 + y ) 2 j − 1 ( 1 − t ) n + 1 Then the structure constants for the ( des , pk ) algebra are the same as the structure constants for the rational functions PD n , j , k under the operation of Hadamard product in t .

Let’s see how this result specializes to the known results for descents and peaks separately. PD n , j , k ( t , y ) = t j ( y + t ) k − j ( 1 + yt ) n − j − k + 1 ( 1 + y ) 2 j − 1 ( 1 − t ) n + 1 If we set y = 0, we get t k PD n , j , k ( t , 0 ) = ( 1 − t ) n + 1 and if we set y = 1, we get PD n , j , k ( t , 1 ) = t j ( 1 + t ) n − 2 j + 1 2 2 j − 1 = P n , j ( t ) . ( 1 − t ) n + 1

The simplest example: PD 1 , 1 , 1 = t ( 1 + y ) ( 1 − t ) 2 PD 2 , 1 , 1 = t ( 1 + y )( 1 + yt ) PD 2 , 1 , 2 = t ( 1 + y )( y + t ) , ( 1 − t ) 3 ( 1 − t ) 3

The simplest example: PD 1 , 1 , 1 = t ( 1 + y ) ( 1 − t ) 2 PD 2 , 1 , 1 = t ( 1 + y )( 1 + yt ) PD 2 , 1 , 2 = t ( 1 + y )( y + t ) , ( 1 − t ) 3 ( 1 − t ) 3 � ∞ � ∞ � � � � PD 1 , 1 , 1 ∗ PD 1 , 1 , 1 = ( 1 + y ) 2 λ t λ λ t λ ∗ λ = 0 λ = 0 � ∞ � = ( 1 + y ) 2 t + t 2 � = ( 1 + y ) 2 λ 2 t λ ( 1 − t ) 3 λ = 0 = t ( 1 + y )( 1 + y )( 1 + t ) ( 1 − t ) 3 = t ( 1 + y )( 1 + yt ) + ( y + t ) ( 1 − t ) 3 = PD 2 , 1 , 1 + PD 2 , 1 , 2

How could we prove this? We can also do this by evaluating quasi-symmetric functions, but we need to use a different representation for them, based on John Stembridge’s enriched P-partitions (“superized quasi-symmetric functions”).

How could we prove this? We can also do this by evaluating quasi-symmetric functions, but we need to use a different representation for them, based on John Stembridge’s enriched P-partitions (“superized quasi-symmetric functions”). My original derivation used noncommutative symmetric functions.

Signed permutations and type B quasi-symmetric functions A signed permutation is a permutation in which each entry has a plus or minus sign: − 2 1 6 − 4 5 This looks much better if we write ¯ a for − a : ¯ 2 1 6 ¯ 4 5 We define the descent set of a signed permutation in the same way as for an ordinary permutation (with the usual ordering · · · − 2 < − 1 < 0 < 1 < 2 · · · ) except that if the permutation starts with a negative number we also count 0 as a descent. (Thus we might think of the permutation as starting with a 0.) So the descent set of ¯ 2 1 6 ¯ 4 5 is { 0 , 3 } .

✁ We can represent descent sets for signed permutations of length n by generalized compositions of n in which we allow the first part to be 0, corresponding to an initial descent. So the descent composition of ¯ 2 1 6 ¯ 4 5 is ( 0 , 3 , 2 ) .

We can represent descent sets for signed permutations of length n by generalized compositions of n in which we allow the first part to be 0, corresponding to an initial descent. So the descent composition of ¯ 2 1 6 ¯ 4 5 is ( 0 , 3 , 2 ) . Just as with ordinary permutations, the descent set is shuffle compatible: the multiset { D ( τ ) : τ ∈ π ✁ σ } depends only on D ( π ) and D ( σ ) (and the lengths of π and σ ), and the algebra of descent sets is isomorphic to the algebra of “type B quasi-symmetric functions”. These were studied by Chak-On Chow, but a closely related algebra, which keeps track of signs, was studied earlier by Stéphane Poirier (related to the Mantaci-Reutenauer algebra).

These are very much like ordinary quasi-symmetric functions, but the variable x 0 that behaves somewhat differently from the other variables. For example � F ( 3 , 2 , 3 ) = x i 1 x i 2 · · · x i 8 where 0 ≤ i 1 ≤ i 2 ≤ i 3 < i 4 ≤ i 5 < i 6 ≤ i 7 ≤ i 8 � �� � � �� � � �� � 3 2 3 and � F ( 0 , 3 , 2 , 3 ) = x i 1 x i 2 · · · x i 8 where 0 < i 1 ≤ i 2 ≤ i 3 < i 4 ≤ i 5 < i 6 ≤ i 7 ≤ i 8 � �� � � �� � � �� � 3 2 3

Just as with ordinary permutations, we have for disjoint signed permutations π and σ � F π F σ = F τ . τ ∈ π ✁ σ Similarly we get a quotient algebra corresponding to the number of descents in which the image of F π , where | π | = n , is the polynomial in λ � λ + n − des ( π ) � z n n but here des ( π ) can range from 0 to n .