Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4648950 Discrete Mathematics 2009 10 Pages PDF
Abstract

We consider avoiding squares and overlaps over the natural numbers, using a greedy algorithm that chooses the least possible integer at each step; the word generated is lexicographically least among all such infinite words. In the case of avoiding squares, the word is 01020103⋯01020103⋯, the familiar ruler function, and is generated by iterating a uniform morphism. The case of overlaps is more challenging. We give an explicitly-defined morphism φ:N∗→N∗φ:N∗→N∗ that generates the lexicographically least infinite overlap-free word by iteration. Furthermore, we show that for all h,k∈Nh,k∈N with h≤kh≤k, the word φk−h(h)φk−h(h) is the lexicographically least overlap-free word starting with the letter hh and ending with the letter kk, and give some of its symmetry properties.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Mathematics Discrete Mathematics and Combinatorics
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