Quantification of symmetry

Abstract

A new mathematical criterion is suggested for symmetry ranking, i.e. determination of an "absolute symmetry scale" for discrete, finite groups. The criterion is based on both, the periods (orders) of each group element and the order of the group itself. This is different from the current criteria which consider only the orders of the groups themselves. The symmetry ranking, based on the new criterion, is applied to the symmetry point groups.