Analytical formula for the number of patterns by using combinations?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding an analytical formula for the number of patterns that can be formed by selecting consecutive elements in a 4×3 matrix. Participants explore the implications of selecting pairs of elements and the resulting patterns, including the challenges of scaling the problem to larger matrices.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a method of selecting two consecutive elements in a 4×3 matrix and notes that they have manually created 80 patterns but seeks a general formula for larger matrices.
  • Another participant interprets the matrix as having elements that can either be 0 or 1 and suggests that the number of valid configurations is 81 based on their understanding of the problem.
  • There is a disagreement regarding the number of valid patterns, with one participant asserting there are only two valid patterns in a specific example, leading to confusion about the calculations.
  • Participants discuss the implications of using different numbers or pairs in the selection process and whether this affects the total number of patterns.
  • One participant proposes a formula where the total number of patterns is calculated as the number of valid patterns raised to the power of the number of rows (a^b).
  • A later reply confirms the correctness of this formula, indicating some level of agreement on this point.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the counting of valid patterns and the interpretation of the matrix configurations. While there is some agreement on the formula for total patterns, the discussion remains unresolved regarding the initial counting of valid patterns.

Contextual Notes

Participants' interpretations of the matrix configurations and valid patterns vary, leading to differing conclusions about the total number of patterns. The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of valid selections and the definitions of patterns.

Sahil_John
Messages
7
Reaction score
1
A 4×3 matrix which has all elements empty, now I select any two consecutive elements until all elements are selected. I assign an index number (1 to 12) to the matrix element, in one row there are only 1,2,3 elements and 3 & 4 are not consecutive.

for example, if I select index 1 & 2 of the matrix, I get the first pattern. if I select 2 & 3 of the matrix, I get the second pattern, likewise 4 & 5, and so on. So, for the first-time selection of 2 consecutive elements, there is an 8 pattern (as shown in first_PIC).

Now, I have 8 patterns in which the first pattern has 1 & 2 index elements are fixed. now from this first pattern again I select 2 consecutive elements, I get 6 patterns (9 to 14 as shown in first_PIC). This process is repeated until all the possible patterns are created.

In the figure, I created manually 80 patterns for two consecutive elements but if I increase the size of the matrix, I cannot compute the number of patterns manually. I need an analytical formula for finding the total number of patterns. I attached a figure for the explanation. If anything you need to know let me know. Can anyone help me? Thank you
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF. :smile:
Sahil_John said:
I attached a figure for the explanation.
I don't see any attachments. Maybe try again? Thanks.
 
Please find the attachement. Thank you
First_PIc.jpg
 
I am afraid your description is impossible to understand, and the attached image is difficult to read, but from combining them I think you mean this:
  1. M is a 4 x 3 matrix.
  2. Each element of M is either 0 or 1.
  3. Each row of M may contain all 0s, or one pair of elements in adjacent columns may equal 1.
[CODE title="Matrix examples"]
Valid Valid Invalid
0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
[/CODE]

How many solutions are there for M?

If my description is right then you have miscounted and there are ## 3 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3 = 81 ## solutions. Can you see why? Can you use this knowledge to find a solution for an ## m \times n ## matrix?

If you reply to this message you can see how I have used CODE formatting to easily show the examples, and ## \LaTeX ## formatting to show mathematical expressions nicely.
 
Last edited:
Dear Sir, your description is right. But, in your example there are only two valid patterns then it should be 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 16. I understand it 3 is 4 times because of the number of rows. But how comes 3?
 
Sahil_John said:
Dear Sir, your description is right. But, in your example there are only two valid patterns then it should be 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 16. I understand it 3 is 4 times because of the number of rows. But how comes 3?
There are 3 valid patterns in each row:
[CODE title="Row examples"]
0 0 0 Valid: no elements selected.
1 1 0 Valid: 1st and 2nd element selected.
0 1 1 Valid: 2nd and 3rd element selected.
1 0 0 Invalid: unpaired element selected.
1 0 1 Invalid: selected elements are not adjacent.
1 1 1 Invalid: unpaired element selected.
[/CODE]
 
Dear Sir, Thank you for your explanation; I got it. One more question if I take two different numbers 1 and (1,1). Is it possible to compute the total number of patterns? Thank you so much for being so supportive.
 
Sahil_John said:
If I take two different numbers 1 and (1,1).
I don't understand what you mean.
 
As in my previous example, I took (1,1) pairs all the time. Same as if I take "a" and (b,b) pair. for example, in (0,0,0) if I select "a" and (b,b) pair, i get two patterns (a,b,b) and (b,b,a).
 
  • #10
If there are 4 rows each with 2 valid patterns then there is a total of ## 2^4 = 16 ## patterns.
 
  • #11
It means I can take any different number of pairs or single elements. If the Number of valid patterns (let a) and the number of rows (let b), then total patterns is a to the power b (a^b). Is it correct? Thank you, Sir
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: pbuk
  • #12
Yes, that is correct :biggrin:
 
  • #13
Dear Sir, pbuk, I am grateful to you for solving my problem. Thank you
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K