Definition:Sign of Permutation on n Letters

Definition
Let $S_n$ denote the symmetric group on $n$ letters. Let $\pi \in S_n$ be a permutation of $S_n$.

Let $K$ be the cycle decomposition of $\pi$.

Let each cycle of $K$ be factored into transpositions.

Let $n$ be the total number of transpositions that compose $K$.

The sign of $\pi \in S_n$ is defined as:
 * $\operatorname{sgn} \left({\pi}\right) = \begin{cases}

1 & : n \text{ even} \\ -1 & : n \text{ odd} \\ \end{cases}$

Also see

 * Equivalence of Definitions of Sign of Permutation