The monoids of the patience sorting algorithm

Abstract

The left patience sorting ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]PS) monoid, also known in the literature as the Bell monoid, and the right patient sorting ([Formula: see text]PS) monoid are introduced by defining certain congruences on words. Such congruences are constructed using insertion algorithms based on the concept of decreasing subsequences. Presentations for these monoids are given.Each finite-rank [Formula: see text]PS monoid is shown to have polynomial growth and to satisfy a nontrivial identity (dependent on its rank), while the infinite rank [Formula: see text]PS monoid does not satisfy any nontrivial identity. Each [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]PS monoid of finite rank has exponential growth and does not satisfy any nontrivial identity. The complexity of the insertion algorithms is discussed.[Formula: see text]PS monoids of finite rank are shown to be automatic and to have recursive complete presentations. When the rank is [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], they are also biautomatic. [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]PS monoids of finite rank are shown to have finite complete presentations and to be biautomatic.