Helix matrices

Paulus Gerdes
pgerdes@virconn.com


Abstract: In this paper I will introduce the concepts of a simple helix matrix and of a helix matrix of period p, and present some results concerning the multiplication of helix matrices.


 

Introduction

Figure 1 presents an example of a simple helix matrix of dimensions 8×12. Its matrix elements are 0, 1, 2, or 5.

2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
1
2
5
0
1
2
5
0
1
2
5
0
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
5
0
1
2
5
0
1
2
5
0
1
2
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
1
2
5
0
1
2
5
0
1
2
5
0
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
5
0
1
2
5
0
1
2
5
0
1
2

Example of a simple helix matrix

Figure 1

Figures 2a, b, c and d illustrate the distribution of the 2’s, 0’s, 1’s, and 5’s, respectively.

Distribution of 2’s

(a)

Distribution of 0’s

(b)

Distribution of 1’s

(c)

Distribution of 5’s

(d)

Figure 2

Figure 3 presents the distribution of the four numerical values.

Figure 3

Imagine the matrix wrapped around a cylinder. We have four strings of eight 2’s and four parallel strings of 0’s. In the opposite direction, we have four strings of eight 1’s and four strings of eight 5’s. Imagine several of these cylinders piled up to form a tall cylinder. Now the (coloured) number strings circle around the tall cylinder as helices. Hence I will call this type of matrix a simple helix matrix. A simple helix matrix, because later on we will introduce more complex helix matrices. 
 
 

Simple helix matrices

Figure 4 presents the structure of a simple helix matrix of the same dimensions as the matrix in Figure 1. This structure is different from the structure in Figure 3. A helix matrix with a structure like in Figure 3, I will call a positive helix matrix. A helix matrix with a structure like in Figure 4, I will call a negative helix matrix.

Structure of a negative helix matrix of dimensions 8×12

Figure 4

We may define positive and negative simple helix matrices as follows.

A matrix A of dimensions (2m)×(2n) will be called a positive simple helix matrix, if the following conditions hold simultaneously:

(1) a(i)(j) = a(i+1)(j-1), if i+j is odd, i=1,…,2m-1; j=2,…,2n,

(2) a(i)(j) = a(i+1)(j+1), if i+j is even, i=1,…,2m-1, j=1,…,2n-1,

(3) a(2s)(1) = a(2s+1)(2n), s=1,…,m-1,

(4) a(2s)(2n) = a(2s+1)(1), s=1,…,m-1,

(5) a(2m)(2t+1) = a(1)(2t), t=1,…,n-1; a(2m)(1) = a(1)(2n),

(6) a(2m)(2t) = a(1)(2t+1), t=1,…,n-1.

A matrix A of dimensions (2m)×(2n) will be called a negative simple helix matrix, if the following conditions hold simultaneously: (1) a(i)(j) = a(i+1)(j-1), if i+j is even, i=1,…,2m-1; j=2,…,2n,

(2) a(i)(j) = a(i+1)(j+1), if i+j is odd, i=1,…,2m-1, j=1,…,2n-1,

(3) a(2s+1)(1) = a(2s+2)(2n), s=0,…,m-1,

(4) a(2s+1)(2n) = a(2s+2)(1), s=0,…,m-1,

(5) a(2m)(2t+2) = a(1)(2t+1), t=0,…,n-1,

(6) a(2m)(2t+1) = a(1)(2t+2), t=0,…,n-1.

The following theorem can be easily proven.

Theorem 1: The number of helices (strings of equal numbers) of an either positive or negative simple helix matrix of dimensions (2m)×(2n) is equal to the greatest common divisor of 2m and 2n.

The situation of a simple helix matrix that is positive and negative at the same time is a little bit different. Figure 5 presents an example. The two numbers alternate as the checkers of a chessboard. The number of helix strings of equal numbers of such a special simple helix matrix is twice the greatest common divisor of 2m and 2n.

 

4
7
4
7
4
7
7
4
7
4
7
4
4
7
4
7
4
7
7
4
7
4
7
4

Example of a simple helix matrix that is simultaneously positive and negative

Figure 5



Multiplication of simple helix matrices

Figure 6 displays the multiplication of the positive simple helix matrices A and B of dimensions 8×12 and 12×4, respectively. The resulting matrix AB is also a positive simple helix matrix.

2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
 
6
1
2
3
 
84
54
36
114
1
2
5
0
1
2
5
0
1
2
5
0
 
1
6
3
2
 
54
84
114
36
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
 
2
3
6
1
 
36
114
84
54
5
0
1
2
5
0
1
2
5
0
1
2
 
3
2
1
6
 
114
36
54
84
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
 
6
1
2
3
 
84
54
36
114
1
2
5
0
1
2
5
0
1
2
5
0
 
1
6
3
2
 
54
84
114
36
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
 
2
3
6
1
 
36
114
84
54
5
0
1
2
5
0
1
2
5
0
1
2
 
3
2
1
6
 
114
36
54
84
                         
6
1
2
3
         
                         
1
6
3
2
         
                         
2
3
6
1
         
                         
3
2
1
6
         
         
A
               
B
       
AB
   

Multiplication of the positive simple helix matrices A and B

Figure 6


Figure 7 presents the multiplication of several positive and negative simple helix matrices of dimensions 6×6.

-1
2
4
1
5
3
 
2
1
3
-3
4
5
 
43
29
27
48
20
1
2
-1
1
4
3
5
 
1
2
-3
3
5
4
 
29
43
48
27
1
20
5
1
-1
3
4
2
 
4
-3
2
5
3
1
 
20
48
43
1
27
29
1
5
3
-1
2
4
 
-3
4
5
2
1
3
 
48
20
1
43
29
27
4
3
5
2
-1
1
 
3
5
4
1
2
-3
 
27
1
20
29
43
48
3
4
2
5
1
-1
 
5
3
1
4
-3
2
 
1
27
29
20
48
43
A positive
B positive
AB positive

(a)


 
2
4
3
-2
1
0
 
-1
2
4
1
5
3
 
23
-4
8
31
29
25
0
3
4
1
-2
2
 
2
-1
1
4
3
5
 
25
8
-4
29
31
23
3
0
1
4
2
-2
 
5
1
-1
3
4
2
 
8
25
29
-4
23
31
-2
1
0
2
4
3
 
1
5
3
-1
2
4
 
31
29
25
23
-4
8
1
-2
2
0
3
4
 
4
3
5
2
-1
1
 
29
31
23
25
8
-4
4
2
-2
3
0
1
 
3
4
2
5
1
-1
 
-4
23
31
8
25
29
A negative
B positive
AB negative

(b)


 
-1
2
4
1
5
3
 
2
4
3
-2
1
0
 
25
-1
13
31
22
22
2
-1
1
4
3
5
 
0
3
4
1
-2
2
 
22
13
-1
22
31
25
5
1
-1
3
4
2
 
3
0
1
4
2
-2
 
13
22
22
-1
25
31
1
5
3
-1
2
4
 
-2
1
0
2
4
3
 
31
22
22
25
-1
13
4
3
5
2
-1
1
 
1
-2
2
0
3
4
 
22
31
25
22
13
-1
3
4
2
5
1
-1
 
4
2
-2
3
0
1
 
-1
25
31
13
22
22
A positive
B negative
AB negative

(c)


 
2
4
3
-2
1
0
 
3
2
1
4
-1
-2
 
-8
8
14
2
20
20
0
3
4
1
-2
2
 
-2
1
2
-1
4
3
 
8
-8
2
14
20
20
3
0
1
4
2
-2
 
1
-2
-1
2
3
4
 
20
2
-8
20
14
8
-2
1
0
2
4
3
 
4
-1
-2
3
2
1
 
2
20
20
-8
8
14
1
-2
2
0
3
4
 
-1
4
3
-2
1
2
 
14
20
20
8
-8
2
4
2
-2
3
0
1
 
2
3
4
1
-2
-1
 
20
14
8
20
2
-8
A negative
B negative
AB positive

(d)

Figure 7

This experimentation leads to the formulation of the conjecture that the multiplication table of positive and negative simple helix matrices is similar to the multiplication table of positive and negative numbers (Figure 8). The reader is invited to prove the corresponding theorem.

Theorem 2: The multiplication table of positive and negative simple helix matrices is analogue to the multiplication table of positive and negative numbers:

A
B
AB
+
+
+
+
+
+

Multiplication table of simple helix matrices

Figure 8

The same multiplication table is valid for cycle matrices too (cf. Gerdes, 2002a). Like in the case of cycle matrices of period p, let us see if it is possible to introduce helix matrices of period p.
 
 

Helix matrices of period p

Let us consider a 8×12 matrix. For this matrix to be a positive simple helix matrix, all matrix elements on the equally coloured unit squares of Figure 3 should be equal. For instance, all matrix elements on the red unit squares (Figure 2a) should be equal. If these matrix elements were not equal but alternately 2 and 4, the respective helix would look like Figure 9.

2
     
2
     
2
     
 
4
     
4
     
4
   
   
2
     
2
     
2
 
     
4
     
4
     
4
2
     
2
     
2
     
 
4
     
4
     
4
   
   
2
     
2
     
2
 
     
4
     
4
     
4

A positive helix of period 2 in a 8×12 matrix

Figure 9

We may say that this helix has period 2. If all helices have period 2, like in the example in Figure 10, we may call the matrix a helix matrix of period 2.

2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
4
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
4

Positive helix matrix P of dimensions 8×12 with period 2

Figure 10

Observing well matrix P in Figure 10 we see that its negative helices have also period 2 (see the example in Figure 11). In other words, P is both a positive and a negative helix matrix of period 2.

 
1
     
1
     
1
   
   
7
     
7
     
7
 
     
1
     
1
     
1
7
     
7
     
7
     
 
1
     
1
     
1
   
   
7
     
7
     
7
 
     
1
     
1
     
1
7
     
7
     
7
     

A negative helix of period 2 in a 8×12 matrix

Figure 11

Figure 12 presents an example of a helix matrix of dimensions 6×4. Both its positive and its negative helices have period 3. 

2
5
2
5
3
1
3
1
4
7
4
7
5
2
5
2
1
3
1
3
7
4
7
4

A helix matrix of dimensions 6×4 with period 3

Figure 12

The number 3 is a divisor of one of the dimensions of the matrix. We may call the matrix a helix matrix of period 3. The examples suggest that it is not possible to distinguish between positive and negative helix matrices of period 2, 3, …

In general, we may characterise helix matrices of period p as follows. A matrix of dimensions (2m)×(2n) is called a helix matrix of period p if all its helices have period p.

Figure 13 presents examples of the multiplication of helix matrices of period p.

2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
 
0
5
4
1
 
114
156
90
60
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
 
3
2
7
8
 
246
234
174
246
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
 
4
1
0
5
 
90
60
114
156
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
4
 
7
8
3
2
 
174
246
246
234
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
 
0
5
4
1
 
114
156
90
60
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
 
3
2
7
8
 
246
234
174
246
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
0
5
2
1
 
4
1
0
5
 
90
60
114
156
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
4
 
7
8
3
2
 
174
246
246
234
                         
0
5
4
1
         
                         
3
2
7
8
         
                         
4
1
0
5
         
                         
7
8
3
2
         

Multiplication of two helix matrices of period 2

(a)


 
0
2
3
-1
7
1
 
2
3
1
-4
6
4
 
42
-23
58
33
5
30
3
1
-2
4
4
8
 
5
0
2
4
-1
7
 
-15
79
43
34
-21
55
9
-3
2
7
5
4
 
1
-5
3
-3
5
0
 
-15
74
72
-11
68
44
-1
7
1
0
2
3
 
-4
6
4
2
3
1
 
33
5
30
42
-23
58
4
4
8
3
1
-2
 
4
-1
7
5
0
2
 
34
-21
55
-15
79
43
7
5
4
9
-3
2
 
-3
5
0
1
-5
3
 
-11
68
44
-15
74
72
0
2
3
-1
7
1
               
42
-23
58
33
5
30
3
1
-2
4
4
8
               
-15
79
43
34
-21
55
9
-3
2
7
5
4
               
-15
74
72
-11
68
44
-1
7
1
0
2
3
               
33
5
30
42
-23
58
4
4
8
3
1
-2
               
34
-21
55
-15
79
43
7
5
4
9
-3
2
               
-11
68
44
-15
74
72

Multiplication of two helix matrices of period 3

(b)


 
1
-1
2
5
1
-1
2
5
 
-6
3
2
1
 
12
68
-34
90
-3
3
0
4
-3
3
0
4
 
2
4
-1
-4
 
80
62
-34
18
1
-1
2
5
1
-1
2
5
 
-3
0
-5
5
 
12
68
-34
90
-3
3
0
4
-3
3
0
4
 
4
7
-2
6
 
80
62
-34
18
1
-1
2
5
1
-1
2
5
 
-6
3
2
1
 
12
68
-34
90
-3
3
0
4
-3
3
0
4
 
2
4
-1
-4
 
80
62
-34
18
                 
-3
0
-5
5
         
                 
4
7
-2
6
         

Multiplication of two helix matrices of period 4

(c)

Figure 13

In each case, the product matrix AB is a helix matrix of the same period as the helix matrices A and B

It may happen, however, that the period p is not a divisor of the dimensions of the product matrix, as in the example in Figure 14.

2
3
4
5
1
7
 
2
5
2
5
 
104
82
104
82
5
1
7
2
3
4
 
3
1
3
1
 
82
104
82
104
2
3
4
5
1
7
 
4
7
4
7
 
104
82
104
82
5
1
7
2
3
4
 
5
2
5
2
 
82
104
82
104
             
1
3
1
3
         
             
7
4
7
4
         
4×6, period 3
6×4, period 3
4×4
A
B
AB

Multiplication two helix matrices of period 3

Figure 14

All helices of the product matrix AB of dimensions 4×4 are constant. In other words, they have period 1. Having period 1, they have automatically any period, including period 3.

On the basis of our experimentation, the following theorem may be conjectured. The reader is invited to prove it.

Theorem 3: The product of two helix matrices of period p is a helix matrix of period p.

We may note that the class of simple helix matrices that are simultaneously positive and negative is the same as the class of helix matrices of period 1.
 
 

Concluding remark

Cycle and helix matrices may appear as products of cylinder matrices, as will be shown in (Gerdes, 2002b).
 

References

Gerdes, Paulus (2002a), From Liki-designs to cycle matrices, Visual Mathematics, Vol. 7, March 2002 (http://members.tripod.com/vismath7/gerd/)

Gerdes, Paulus (2002b), Cylinder matrices ((http://members.tripod.com/vismath8/gerdcyl/cyl1.htm 
 

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