Bells, Motels and Permutation Groups

TL;DR

This paper explores the mathematical principles behind change ringing on bells, presenting Rankin's solution to a classic problem in the field, illustrating the connection between real-world activity and permutation group theory.

Contribution

It introduces Rankin's solution to a longstanding problem in the mathematics of change ringing, linking practical bell ringing with permutation group analysis.

Findings

Rankin's solution to a classical problem in change ringing

Mathematical modeling of bell ringing activities

Connection between real-world activity and permutation groups

Abstract

This article is about the mathematics of ringing the changes. We describe the mathematics which arises from a real-world activity, that of ringing the changes on bells. We present Rankin's solution of one of the famous old problems in the subject. This article was written in 2003.