Christoffel words

E947536

Christoffel words are special finite binary or k-ary words in combinatorics on words that encode discrete approximations of straight lines and have deep connections to number theory, geometry, and Sturmian sequences.

All labels observed (2)

Label Occurrences
Christoffel words canonical 2
Sturmian sequences 1

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf binary word
combinatorial object
finite word
k-ary word
mathematical concept
alphabet finite k-letter alphabet
{0,1}
appearsIn combinatorics on words literature
discrete geometry literature
symbolic dynamics literature
characterizedBy minimal imbalance between letters
occurring as finite factors of Sturmian words
slope given by a rational number p/q
encodes discrete approximation of straight lines
field combinatorics on words
discrete geometry
number theory
symbolic dynamics
theoretical computer science
generalizationOf lower mechanical words of rational slope
upper mechanical words of rational slope
hasAspect lower Christoffel word
upper Christoffel word
hasConnectionWith Calkin–Wilf tree
Christoffel tree
Dyck paths (via encodings)
Euclidean algorithm
continued fraction expansion of slopes
hasProperty Lyndon word (for certain orientations)
balanced
primitive (not a proper power) in typical definitions
namedAfter Elwin Bruno Christoffel
playsRoleIn classification of balanced finite words
geometric representation of Sturmian words
relatedTo Beatty sequences
Farey sequences
linked to: Farey sequence

Sturmian sequences
linked to: Christoffel words

Sturmian words
continued fractions
discrete lines
lattice paths
mechanical words
studiedSince 19th century
usedIn analysis of Sturmian morphisms
coding of irrational rotations
combinatorial number theory
discrete geometry of digital straight segments
symbolic codings of lines of rational slope

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Elwin Bruno Christoffel notableWork Christoffel words
Elwin Bruno Christoffel notableFor Christoffel words
subject linked to: Christoffel
Christoffel words relatedTo Sturmian sequences
linked to: Christoffel words