alternating group

noun

: a permutation group whose elements comprise those permutations of n objects which can be formed from the original order by making an even number of interchanges of pairs of objects

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alternating group was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near alternating group

Cite this Entry

“Alternating group.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alternating%20group. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!