Strategic disclosure of random variables

We consider a game G_n played by two players. There are n independent random variables Z₁, … , Z_n, each of which is uniformly distributed on [0,1]. Both players know n, the independence and the distribution of these random variables, but only player 1 knows the vector of realizations z ? (z₁, … , z_n) of them. Player 1 begins by choosing an order _zk1,…,_zkn$z_{k_1}\text{,}\dots \text{,}{z}_{k_n}$ of the realizations. Player 2, who does not know the realizations, faces a stopping problem. At period 1, player 2 learns _zk1$z_{k_1}$. If player 2 accepts, then player 1 pays _zk1$z_{k_1}$ euros to player 2 and play ends. Otherwise, if player 2 rejects, play continues similarly at period 2 with player 1 offering _zk2$z_{k_2}$ euros to player 2. Play continues until player 2 accepts an offer. If player 2 has rejected n − 1 times, player 2 has to accept the last offer at period n. This model extends Moser’s (1956) problem, which assumes a non-strategic player 1.     

Achievement and avoidance games for generating abelian groups

For any finite groupG, the DO GENERATE game is played by two players Alpha and Beta as follows. Alpha moves first and choosesx ₁ ∈G. Thek-th play consists of a choice ofx _k ∈G ?S _k ?1 whereS _n ={itx ₁,...,x _n }. LetG _n = 〈S _n 〉. The game ends whenG _n =G. The player who movesx _n wins. In the corresponding avoidance game, DON'T GENERATE, the last player to move loses. Of course neither game can end in a draw. For an arbitrary group, it is an unsolved problem to determine whether Alpha or Beta wins either game. However these two questions are answered here for abelian groups.     

Divisibility of determinants of power GCD matrices and power LCM matrices on finitely many quasi-coprime divisor chains

Let a, n ? 1 be integers and S = {x₁, … , x_n} be a set of n distinct positive integers. The matrix having the ath power (x_i, x_j)^a of the greatest common divisor of x_i and x_j as its i, j-entry is called ath power greatest common divisor (GCD) matrix defined on S, denoted by (S^a). Similarly we can define the ath power LCM matrix [S^a]. We say that the set S consists of finitely many quasi-coprime divisor chains if we can partition S as S = S₁ ∪ ? ∪ S_k, where k ? 1 is an integer and all S_i (1 ? i ? k) are divisor chains such that (max(S_i), max(S_j)) = gcd(S) for 1 ? i ≠ j ? k. In this paper, we first obtain formulae of determinants of power GCD matrices (S^a) and power LCM matrices [S^a] on the set S consisting of finitely many quasi-coprime divisor chains with gcd(S) ∈ S. Using these results, we then show that det(S^a)∣det(S^b), det[S^a]∣det[S^b] and det(S^a)∣det[S^b] if a∣b and S consists of finitely many quasi-coprime divisor chains with gcd(S) ∈ S. But such factorizations fail to be true if such divisor chains are not quasi-coprime.     

Partizan octal games: Partizan subtraction games

A subtraction gameS=(s ₁, ...,s _k)is a two-player game played with a pile of tokens where each player at his turn removes a number ofm of tokens providedmεS. The player first unable to move loses, his opponent wins. This impartial game becomes partizan if, instead of one setS, two finite setsS _L andS _R are given: Left removes tokens as specified byS _L, right according toS _R. We say thatS _L dominatesS _R if for all sufficiently large piles Left wins both as first and as second player. We exhibit a curious property of dominance and provide two subclasses of games in which a dominance relation prevails. We further prove that all partizan subtraction games areperiodic, and investigatepure periodicity.     

Bernstein operators for extended Chebyshev systems

Let U_n ⊂ Cⁿ[a, b] be an extended Chebyshev space of dimension n + 1. Suppose that f₀ ∈ U_n is strictly positive and f₁ ∈ U_n has the property that f₁/f₀ is strictly increasing. We search for conditions ensuring the existence of points t₀, …, t_n ∈ [a, b] and positive coefficients α₀, …, α_n such that for all f ∈ C[a, b], the operator B_n:C[a, b] → U_n defined by satisfies B_nf₀ = f₀ and B_nf₁ = f₁. Here it is assumed that p_n,k, k = 0, …, n, is a Bernstein basis, defined by the property that each p_n,k has a zero of order k at a and a zero of order n − k at b.     

Strong linear preservers of rank reverse permutability on triangular matrices

Let F be a field with ∣F∣ > 2 and T_n(F) be the set of all n × n upper triangular matrices, where n ? 2. Let k ? 2 be a given integer. A k-tuple of matrices A₁, …, A_k ∈ T_n(F) is called rank reverse permutable if rank(A₁ A₂ ? A_k) = rank(A_k A_k−1 ? A₁). We characterize the linear maps on T_n(F) that strongly preserve the set of rank reverse permutable matrix k-tuples.     

On approximately simultaneously diagonalizable matrices

A collection A₁, A₂, …, A_k of n × n matrices over the complex numbers C has the ASD property if the matrices can be perturbed by an arbitrarily small amount so that they become simultaneously diagonalizable. Such a collection must perforce be commuting. We show by a direct matrix proof that the ASD property holds for three commuting matrices when one of them is 2-regular (dimension of eigenspaces is at most 2). Corollaries include results of Gerstenhaber and Neubauer-Sethuraman on bounds for the dimension of the algebra generated by A₁, A₂, …, A_k. Even when the ASD property fails, our techniques can produce a good bound on the dimension of this subalgebra. For example, we establish for commuting matrices A₁, …, A_k when one of them is 2-regular. This bound is sharp. One offshoot of our work is the introduction of a new canonical form, the H-form, for matrices over an algebraically closed field. The H-form of a matrix is a sparse “Jordan like” upper triangular matrix which allows us to assume that any commuting matrices are also upper triangular. (The Jordan form itself does not accommodate this.)     

On polyvectors of vector spaces and hyperplanes of projective Grassmannians

We investigate relationships between polyvectors of a vector space V, alternating multilinear forms on V, hyperplanes of projective Grassmannians and regular spreads of projective spaces. Suppose V is an n-dimensional vector space over a field F and that A_n-1,k(F) is the Grassmannian of the (k − 1)-dimensional subspaces of PG(V) (1  ? k ? n − 1). With each hyperplane H of A_n-1,k(F), we associate an (n − k)-vector of V (i.e., a vector of ∧^n−kV) which we will call a representative vector of H. One of the problems which we consider is the isomorphism problem of hyperplanes of A_n-1,k(F), i.e., how isomorphism of hyperplanes can be recognized in terms of their representative vectors. Special attention is paid here to the case n = 2k and to those isomorphisms which arise from dualities of PG(V). We also prove that with each regular spread of the projective space PG(2k-1,F), there is associated some class of isomorphic hyperplanes of the Grassmannian A_2k-1,k(F), and we study some properties of these hyperplanes. The above investigations allow us to obtain a new proof for the classification, up to equivalence, of the trivectors of a 6-dimensional vector space over an arbitrary field F, and to obtain a classification, up to isomorphism, of all hyperplanes of A_5,3(F).     

Matrix analysis for associated consistency in cooperative game theory

Hamiache axiomatized the Shapley value as the unique solution verifying the inessential game property, continuity and associated consistency. Driessen extended Hamiache’s axiomatization to the enlarged class of efficient, symmetric, and linear values. In this paper, we introduce the notion of row (resp. column)-coalitional matrix in the framework of cooperative game theory. The Shapley value as well as the associated game are represented algebraically by their coalitional matrices called the Shapley standard matrix M^Sh and the associated transformation matrix M_λ, respectively. We develop a matrix approach for Hamiache’s axiomatization of the Shapley value. The associated consistency for the Shapley value is formulated as the matrix equality M^Sh = M^Sh · M_λ. The diagonalization procedure of M_λ and the inessential property for coalitional matrices are fundamental tools to prove the convergence of the sequence of repeated associated games as well as its limit game to be inessential. In addition, a similar matrix approach is applicable to study Driessen’s axiomatization of a certain class of linear values. In summary, it is illustrated that matrix analysis is a new and powerful technique for research in the field of cooperative game theory.     

Embedding cycles of various lengths into star graphs with both edge and vertex faults

The n-dimensional star graph S_n is an attractive alternative to the hypercube graph and is a bipartite graph with two partite sets of equal size. Let F_v and F_e be the sets of faulty vertices and faulty edges of S_n, respectively. We prove that S_n − F_v − F_e contains a fault-free cycle of every even length from 6 to n! − 2∣F_v∣ with ∣F_v∣ + ∣F_e∣ ? n − 3 for every n ? 4. We also show that S_n − F_v − F_e contains a fault-free path of length n! − 2∣F_v∣ − 1 (respectively, n! − 2∣F_v∣ − 2) between two arbitrary vertices of S_n in different partite sets (respectively, the same partite set) with ∣F_v∣ + ∣F_e∣ ? n − 3 for every n ? 4.     

A quadratic programming approach to the Randić index

Let G(k, n) be the set of connected graphs without multiple edges or loops which have n vertices and the minimum degree of vertices is k. The Randi? index χ = χ(G) of a graph G   is defined by χ(G)=_∑(uv)(_δuδv)^-1/2$\chi (G)={\sum }_{(\mathit{uv})}({\delta }_u{\delta }_v{)}^{-1/2}$, where δ_u is the degree of vertex u and the summation extends over all edges (uv) of G. Caporossi et al. [G. Caporossi, I. Gutman, P. Hansen, Variable neighborhood search for extremal graphs IV: Chemical trees with extremal connectivity index, Computers and Chemistry 23 (1999) 469–477] proposed the use of linear programming as one of the tools for finding the extremal graphs. In this paper we introduce a new approach based on quadratic programming for finding the extremal graphs in G(k, n) for this index. We found the extremal graphs or gave good bounds for this index when the number n_k of vertices of degree k is between n − k and n. We also tried to find the graphs for which the Randi? index attained its minimum value with given k (k ? n/2) and n. We have solved this problem partially, that is, we have showed that the extremal graphs must have the number n_k of vertices of degree k less or equal n − k and the number of vertices of degree n − 1 less or equal k.     

A residual transcendental extension of a valuation on K to K(x1, … , xn)

Let v be a valuation of a field K, G_v its value group and k_v its residue field. Let w be an extension of v to K(x₁, … , x_n). w is called a residual transcendental extension of v if k_w/k_v is a transcendental extension. In this study a residual transcendental extension w of v to K(x₁, … , x_n) such that transdegk_w/k_v = n is defined and some considerations related with this valuation are given.     

Bipanconnectivity of faulty hypercubes with minimum degree

In this paper, we consider the conditionally faulty hypercube Q_n with n ? 2 where each vertex of Q_n is incident with at least m fault-free edges, 2 ? m ? n − 1. We shall generalize the limitation m ? 2 in all previous results of edge-bipancyclicity. We also propose a new edge-fault-tolerant bipanconnectivity called k-edge-fault-tolerant bipanconnectivity. A bipartite graph is k-edge-fault-tolerant bipanconnected if G − F remains bipanconnected for any F ⊂ E(G) with ∣F∣ ? k. For every integer m, under the same hypothesis, we show that Q_n is (n − 2)-edge-fault-tolerant edge-bipancyclic and bipanconnected, and the results are optimal with respect to the number of edge faults tolerated. This not only improves some known results on edge-bipancyclicity and bipanconnectivity of hypercubes, but also simplifies the proof.     

Bounds for increasing multi-state consecutive k-out-of-r-from-n: F system with equal components probabilities

The consecutive k-out-of-r-from-n: F system was generalized to multi-state case. This system consists of n linearly ordered components which are at state below j if and only if at least k_j components out of any r consecutive are in state below j. In this paper we suggest bounds of increasing multi-state consecutive-k-out-of-r-from-n: F system (k₁ ? k₂ ? ? ? k_M) by applying second order Boole–Bonferroni bounds and applying Hunter–Worsley upper bound. Also numerical results are given. The programs in V.B.6 of the algorithms are available upon request from the authors.     

Spectral results on graphs with regularity constraints

Graphs with (k, τ)-regular sets and equitable partitions are examples of graphs with regularity constraints. A (k, τ)-regular set of a graph G is a subset of vertices S ⊆ V(G) inducing a k-regular subgraph and such that each vertex not in S has τ neighbors in S. The existence of such structures in a graph provides some information about the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of its adjacency matrix. For example, if a graph G has a (k₁, τ₁)-regular set S₁ and a (k₂, τ₂)-regular set S₂ such that k₁ − τ₁ = k₂ − τ₂ = λ, then λ is an eigenvalue of G with a certain eigenvector. Additionally, considering primitive strongly regular graphs, a necessary and sufficient condition for a particular subset of vertices to be (k, τ)-regular is introduced. Another example comes from the existence of an equitable partition in a graph. If a graph G, has an equitable partition π then its line graph, L(G), also has an equitable partition, , induced by π, and the adjacency matrix of the quotient graph is obtained from the adjacency matrix of G/π.     

A multi-round generalization of the traveling tournament problem and its application to Japanese baseball

In a double round-robin tournament involving n teams, every team plays 2(n − 1) games, with one home game and one away game against each of the other n − 1 teams. Given a symmetric n by n matrix representing the distances between each pair of home cities, the traveling tournament problem (TTP) seeks to construct an optimal schedule that minimizes the sum total of distances traveled by the n teams as they move from city to city, subject to several natural constraints to ensure balance and fairness. In the TTP, the number of rounds is set at r = 2. In this paper, we generalize the TTP to multiple rounds (r = 2k, for any k ? 1) and present an algorithm that converts the problem to finding the shortest path in a directed graph, enabling us to apply Dijkstra’s Algorithm to generate the optimal multi-round schedule. We apply our shortest-path algorithm to optimize the league schedules for Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan, where two leagues of n = 6 teams play 40 sets of three intra-league games over r = 8 rounds. Our optimal schedules for the Pacific and Central Leagues achieve a 25% reduction in total traveling distance compared to the 2010 NPB schedule, implying the potential for considerable savings in terms of time, money, and greenhouse gas emissions.     

The spectra of some trees and bounds for the largest eigenvalue of any tree

Let T be an unweighted tree of k levels such that in each level the vertices have equal degree. Let n_k−j+1 and d_k−j+1 be the number of vertices and the degree of them in the level j. We find the eigenvalues of the adjacency matrix and Laplacian matrix of T for the case of two vertices in level 1 (n_k = 2), including results concerning to their multiplicity. They are the eigenvalues of leading principal submatrices of nonnegative symmetric tridiagonal matrices of order k × k. The codiagonal entries for these matrices are , 2 ? j ? k, while the diagonal entries are 0, …, 0, ±1, in the case of the adjacency matrix, and d₁, d₂, …, d_k−1, d_k ± 1, in the case of the Laplacian matrix. Finally, we use these results to find improved upper bounds for the largest eigenvalue of the adjacency matrix and of the Laplacian matrix of any given tree.     

Compositions of Polynomials with Coefficients in a Given Field

Let F ⊂ K be fields of characteristic 0, and let K[x] denote the ring of polynomials with coefficients in K. Let p(x) = ∑_k = 0ⁿa_kx^k ∈ K[x], a_n ≠ 0. For p ∈ K[x]\F[x], define D_F(p), the F deficit of p, to equal n − max{0 ≤ k ≤ n : a_k∉F}. For p ∈ F[x], define D_F(p) = n. Let p(x) = ∑_k = 0ⁿa_kx^k and let q(x) = ∑_j = 0^mb_jx^j, with a_n ≠ 0, b_m ≠ 0, a_n, b_m ∈ F, b_j∉F for some j ≥ 1. Suppose that p ∈ K[x], q ∈ K[x]\F[x], p, not constant. Our main result is that p ° q ∉ F[x] and D_F(p ° q) = D_F(q). With only the assumption that a_nb_m ∈ F, we prove the inequality D_F(p ° q) ≥ D_F(q). This inequality also holds if F and K are only rings. Similar results are proven for fields of finite characteristic with the additional assumption that the characteristic of the field does not divide the degree of p. Finally we extend our results to polynomials in two variables and compositions of the form p(q(x, y)), where p is a polynomial in one variable.     

Classification of small (0, 1) matrices

Denote by A_n the set of square (0, 1) matrices of order n. The set A_n, n ? 8, is partitioned into row/column permutation equivalence classes enabling derivation of various facts by simple counting. For example, the number of regular (0, 1) matrices of order 8 is 10160459763342013440. Let D_n, S_n denote the set of absolute determinant values and Smith normal forms of matrices from A_n. Denote by a_n the smallest integer not in D_n. The sets D₉ and S₉ are obtained; especially, a₉ = 103. The lower bounds for a_n, 10 ? n ? 19 (exceeding the known lower bound a_n ? 2f_n − 1, where f_n is nth Fibonacci number) are obtained. Row/permutation equivalence classes of A_n correspond to bipartite graphs with n black and n white vertices, and so the other applications of the classification are possible.     

Van der waerden and ramsey type games

Let us consider the following 2-player game, calledvan der Waerden game. The players alternately pick previously unpicked integers of the interval {1, 2, ...,N}. The first player wins if he has selected all members of ann-term arithmetic progression. LetW*(n) be the least integerN so that the first player has a winning strategy. By theRamsey game on k-tuples we shall mean a 2-player game where the players alternately pick previously unpicked elements of the completek-uniform hypergraph ofN verticesK _N ^k , and the first player wins if he has selected allk-tuples of ann-set. LetR _k*(n) be the least integerN so that the first player has a winning strategy. We prove (W* (n))¹/n → 2,R ₂*(n)<(2+ε) ⁿ andR _k ^* n<2 ^nk / ^k! fork ≧3.