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.

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