Can anyone explain how to compute the product of cycles?
For example: (123)(14)
It's supposed to be equal to (1423) but I don't understand why.

Question

Can anyone explain how to compute the product of cycles?
For example: (123)(14)
It's supposed to be equal to (1423) but I don't understand why.

compassionate · Answer

I'm not sure, @hba , @hartnn , or @AccessDenied  might know.

compassionate · Answer

I found this: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110330025444AAdvQlV

hba · Answer

Is This Permutation LoL ? @Compassionate

compassionate · Answer

Ha ha, yes XD

hba · Answer

Haha LoL

compassionate · Answer

#YOLO

accessdenied · Answer

Do you read the product from left-to-right or right-to-left?  I recall doing the latter in previous problems, but that doesn't work for me here.

accessdenied · Answer

I would use a diagram here, just because it's easier to see visually:
|dw:1350220889162:dw|
It appears here that 1 --> 4,  4 --> 2,  2 --> 3, and 3 --> 1.  That would be the same as (1 4 2 3).