Permutation Statistics on the Alternating Group

Let $A_n\subseteq S_n$ denote the alternating and the symmetric groups on $1,...,n$. MacMahaon's theorem, about the equi-distribution of the length and the major indices in $S_n$, has received far reaching refinements and generalizations, by Foata, Carlitz, Foata-Schutzenberger, Garsia-Gessel and followers. Our main goal is to find analogous statistics and identities for the alternating group $A_{n}$. A new statistic for $S_n$, {\it the delent number}, is introduced. This new statistic is involved with new $S_n$ equi-distribution identities, refining some of the results of Foata-Schutzenberger and Garsia-Gessel. By a certain covering map $f:A_{n+1}\to S_n$, such $S_n$ identities are `lifted' to $A_{n+1}$, yielding the corresponding $A_{n+1}$ equi-distribution identities.Comment: 45 page

On Degrees in the Hasse Diagram of the Strong Bruhat Order

For a permutation $\pi$ in the symmetric group $S_n$ let the {\it total degree} be its valency in the Hasse diagram of the strong Bruhat order on $S_n$, and let the {\it down degree} be the number of permutations which are covered by $\pi$ in the strong Bruhat order. The maxima of the total degree and the down degree and their values at a random permutation are computed. Proofs involve variants of a classical theorem of Tur\'an from extremal graph theory.Comment: 14 pages, minor corrections; to appear in S\'em. Lothar. Combi

Equidistribution and Sign-Balance on 321-Avoiding Permutations

Let $T_n$ be the set of 321-avoiding permutations of order $n$. Two properties of $T_n$ are proved: (1) The {\em last descent} and {\em last index minus one} statistics are equidistributed over $T_n$, and also over subsets of permutations whose inverse has an (almost) prescribed descent set. An analogous result holds for Dyck paths. (2) The sign-and-last-descent enumerators for $T_{2n}$ and $T_{2n+1}$ are essentially equal to the last-descent enumerator for $T_n$. The proofs use a recursion formula for an appropriate multivariate generating function.Comment: 17 pages; to appear in S\'em. Lothar. Combi