[Math] Cross ratios of permutations of four points

complex numberscomplex-analysis

Express the cross ratios corresponding to the $24$ permutations of four points in terms of $\lambda=(z_1,z_2,z_3,z_4)$.

So we have $$\lambda=(z_1,z_2,z_3,z_4)=\dfrac{\left(\dfrac{z_1-z_3}{z_1-z_4}\right)}{\left(\dfrac{z_2-z_3}{z_2-z_4}\right)}$$ Now, how can we write something like $\delta=(z_3,z_1,z_2,z_4)=\dfrac{\left(\dfrac{z_3-z_2}{z_3-z_4}\right)}{\left(\dfrac{z_1-z_2}{z_1-z_4}\right)}$ in terms of $\lambda$? The expression $z_1-z_2$ does not occur in $\lambda$. Is the exercise correct?

Best Answer

There are four permutations that don't change the value of the cross-ratio: the identity permutation and three others: \begin{align} (1\leftrightarrow2,\ 3\leftrightarrow4) \\ (1\leftrightarrow3,\ 2\leftrightarrow4) \\ (1\leftrightarrow4,\ 2\leftrightarrow3) \end{align} Since there are $24$ permutations, you should get $24/4=6$ values.

The mappings $$ \lambda\mapsto 1-\lambda,\text{ and }\lambda\mapsto \frac1\lambda, $$ generate a group of $6$ with composition of functions as the group operation, isomorphic to the group of all permutations of six elements. I'd try computing those six things in terms of $z_1,z_2,z_3,z_4$, and see if they are cross-ratios of permutations of those four.