Population

The population of a pattern is the number of ON (live) cells. For example, the population of the boat is five, while the minimum population of the pentadecathlon is 12.

For oscillators and spaceships, the minimum population is counted as the number of alive cells in the phase with the least number of such.

All patterns with population 5 or less in Life are described in the polyplet article; there are no objects that can be formed with 5 cells but only in two or more unconnected groups.

All patterns with population 6 or less were analysed in Lifeline Volume 4 in 1971.

All patterns with population 9 or less have been analyzed, as have all with 10 in a single cluster. 10 is the minimum number of cells for infinite growth. It would be tricky to analyze all with 10 completely, as two R-pentominoes can interact with each other and their emitted gliders.

11-bit patterns have not been exhaustively analyzed; it is possible but unlikely that quadratic growth exists with 11 cells.

See also

• Patterns with specific population (category)
• Bounding box
• MCPS

External links

• Population at the Life Lexicon