Permutations

Permutations refer to the number of transpositions which can be

made using the mattress vertices labelled as shown.
Permutations
After considering the 24 possible permutations for the mattress in the
following table, there were 4 which were applicable.

Permutations Cyclic Notation Applicable Transformation

P: 1234 1234 e=() Yes No nothing

P: 1234 1243 (3 4) No
P: 1234 1324 (2 3) No
P: 1234 1342 (2 3 4) No
P: 1234 1432 (2 4) No
P: 1234 1423 (2 4 3) No
P: 1234 2134 (1 2) No
P: 1234 2143 (1 2) (3 4) Yes Roll
P: 1234 2314 (1 2 3) No
P: 1234 2341 (1 2 3 4) No
P: 1234 2413 (1 2 4 3) No
P: 1234 2431 (1 2 4) No
Permutations
Permutations Cyclic Notation Applicable Transformation
P: 1234 3124 (1 3 2) No

P: 1234 3142 (1 3 4 2) No

P: 1234 3214 (1 3) No

P: 1234 3241 (1 3 4 1) No

P: 1234 3412 (1 3) (2 4) Yes pitch

P: 1234 3421 (1 3 2 4) No

P: 1234 4123 (1 4 3 2) No

P: 1234 4132 (1 4 2) No

P: 1234 4213 (1 4 3) No

P: 1234 4231 (1 4) No

P: 1234 4312 (1 4 2 3) No

P: 1234 4321 (1 4) (2 3) Yes yaw

Group Theory by Flipping the Mattress
It is recommended that a mattress should be flipped periodically. But
whats the best system? How exactly are you supposed to flip it to get
the most even wear out of it?
Transformation 1 (I) Do Nothing
A lazy but popular choice that leaves the mattress untouched. Even
though its not much help in prolonging the life of your mattress, its
very important to include in the group. It plays the same role for
group theory that zero does for addition of numbers, or that 1 does
for multiplication. This is called the identity element, denoted by
the symbol I.
Transformation 2 (R) Roll
This is a 180 degree flip horizontally.
This transformation swaps its left and right sides.
Transformation 3 (P) Pitch
This is a 180 degree flip vertically.
This transformation swaps its head and foot. You stand the mattress
upright, the long way, so that it almost reaches the ceiling, and then
topple it end over end.
Transformation 4 (Y) Yaw
The final possibility is to spin the mattress about its axis half a turn
(180 degrees) while keeping it flat on the bed.
Unlike the Roll and Pitch, this transformation , the Yaw, keeps the
top surface on top.
Cayley table to insert