On the Orbit Decomposition of Finite Quandles

Abstract

We study the structure of finite quandles in terms of subquandles. Every finite quandle $Q$ decomposes in a natural way as a union of disjoint $Q$-complemented subquandles; this decomposition coincides with the usual orbit decomposition of $Q$. Conversely, the structure of a finite quandle with a given orbit decomposition is determined by its structure maps. We describe a procedure for finding all non-connected quandle structures on a disjoint union of subquandles.

Version 3 includes changes suggested by referee. To appear in JKTR