Random k-dimensional orders: Width and number of linear extensions

We consider the width W _k (n) and number L _k (n) of linear extensions of a random k-dimensional order P _k (n). We show that, for each fixed k, almost surely W _k (n) lies between (k/2–C)n _1–1/k and 4kn ^1-1/k , for some constant C, and L _k (n) lies between (e ^-2 n ^1-1/k ) ⁿ and (2kn ^1-1/k ) ⁿ . The bounds given also apply to the expectations of the corresponding random variables. We also show that W _k (n) and log L _k (n) are sharply concentrated about their means.     

A study of the order dimension of a poset using matrices

In every finite poset (X, ≤) we assign the so called order-matrix , where α_ij ∈ {?2, 0, 1, 2}. Using this matrix, we characterize the order dimension of an arbitrary finite poset.     

Inequalities for the number of linear extensions

Lete(P) denote the number of linear extensions of a partial orderP. Interpreting the diagram ofP as a network, ande(P) as the value of a flow, we prove some upper and lower bounds fore(P). One of the consequences is the following. If the incomparability graph ofP can be covered by the incomparability graphs of ordersP ₁,P ₂,...,P _k thene(P) e(P ₁)e(P ₂)...e(P _k ).     

Simultaneous representation of interval and interval-containment orders

We characterize the polysemic interval pairs—pairs of posets that admit simultaneous interval and interval-containment representations—and present algorithms to recoginze them and construct polysemic interval representations.This work, supported in part by NSF grant CCR-9300079, also appears in the author's doctoral thesis [9], written at the Johns Hopkins University under the supervision of Professors Edward R. Scheinerman and Michael T. Goodrich.     

A structure theorem for posets admitting a “strong” chain partition:: A generalization of a conjecture of Daykin and Daykin (with connections to probability correlation inequalities)

Suppose a finite poset P is partitioned into three non-empty chains so that, whenever p, q∈P lie in distinct chains and p<q, then every other element of P is either above p or below q.In 1985, the following conjecture was made by David Daykin and Jacqueline Daykin: such a poset may be decomposed into an ordinal sum of posets such that, for 1?i?n, one of the following occurs:

(1)

R_i is disjoint from one of the chains of the partition; or

(2)

if p, q∈R_i are in distinct chains, then they are incomparable.

The conjecture is related to a question of R. L. Graham's concerning probability correlation inequalities for linear extensions of finite posets.In 1996, a proof of the Daykin-Daykin conjecture was announced (by two other mathematicians), but their proof needs to be rectified.In this note, a generalization of the conjecture is proven that applies to finite or infinite posets partitioned into a (possibly infinite) number of chains with the same property. In particular, it is shown that a poset admits such a partition if and only if it is an ordinal sum of posets, each of which is either a width 2 poset or else a disjoint sum of chains. A forbidden subposet characterization of these partial orders is also obtained.     

On the Boolean dimension of spherical orders

It is well known that if a planar order P is bounded, i.e. has only one minimum and one maximum, then the dimension of P (LD(P)) is at most 2, and if we remove the restriction that P has only one maximum then LD(P)3. However, the dimension of a bounded order drawn on the sphere can be arbitrarily large.The Boolean dimension BD(P) of a poset P is the minimum number of linear orders such that the order relation of P can be written as some Boolean combination of the linear orders. We show that the Boolean dimension of bounded spherical orders is never greater than 4, and is not greater than 5 in the case the poset has more than one maximal element, but only one minimum. These results are obtained by a characterization of spherical orders in terms of containment between circular arcs.Part of this work was carried out while both authors were visiting the Department of Applied Mathematics (KAM) of Charles University, Prague. The authors acknowledge support from the EU HCM project DONET.     

The order dimension of multinomial lattices

Using the notion of Ferrers dimension of incidence structures, the order dimension of multi-nomial lattices (i.e. lattices of multi-permutations) is determined. In particular, it is shown that the lattice of all permutations on ann-element set has dimensionn–1.     

Extremal problems for linear orders on [n] p

Let be a product order on [n] ^p i.e. for A, B [n] ^p , 1a ₁<a ₂<...<a _p º-n and 1<-b ₁<b ₂<...<b _p <-n we have AB iff a _i<-b _i for all i=1, 2,..., p. For a linear extension < of (ordering [n] ^p as ) let F _< ^[n],p (m) count the number of A _i 's, i<-m such that 1A _i. Clearly, for every m and <, where <l denotes the lexicographic order on [n] ^p . In this note we prove that the colexicographical order, <c, provides a corresponding lower bound i.e. that holds for any linear extension < of .This project together with [2] was initiated by the first author and continued in colaboration with the second author. After the death of the first author the work was continued and finalized by the second and the third author.Research supported by NSF grant DMS 9011850.     

The number of orders with thirteen elements

The number of non-isomorphic posets on 13 elements is P₁₃=33,823,827,452. This extends our previous result P₁₂ which constituted the greatest known value. A table enumerates the posets according to their number of relations.

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Posets of copies of countable scattered linear orders

We show that the separative quotient of the poset 〈P(L),⊂〉$〈\mathbb{P}(L),\subset 〉$ of isomorphic suborders of a countable scattered linear order L is σ  -closed and atomless. So, under the CH, all these posets are forcing-equivalent (to (P(ω)/Fin)⁺${(P(\omega )/\mathrm{Fin})}^{+}$).     

A partial order for the set of meanders

In this paper, we present a new approach for studying meanders in terms of noncrossing partitions. We show how this approach leads to a natural partial order on the set of meanders. In particular, meanders form a graded poset with regard to this partial order.     

Tackling the jump number of interval orders

Although the jump number problem for partially ordered sets in NP-complete in general, there are some special classes of posets for which polynomial time algorithms are known.Here we prove that for the class of interval orders the problem remains NP-complete. Moreover we describe another 3/2-approximation algrithm (two others have been developed already by Felsner and Syslo, respectively) by using a polynomial time subgraph packing algorithm.     

Interval orders and circle orders

A finite poset is an interval order if its point can be mapped into real intervals so that x in the poset precisely when x's interval lies wholly to the left of y's; the poset is a circle order if its points can be mapped into circular disks in the plane so that x precisely when x's circular disk is properly included in y's. This note proves that every finite interval order is a circle order.     

Circle orders and angle orders

A poset is a circle order if its points can be mapped into circular disks in the plane so that x in the poset precisely when x's circular disk is properly included in y's; the poset is an angle order if its points can be mapped into unbounded angular regions that preserve < by proper inclusion. It is well known that many finite angle orders are not circle orders, but has been open as to whether every finite circle order is an angle order. This paper proves that there are finite circle orders that are not angle orders.     

Crowns,cutsets, and valuable partial orders

We consider the problem of recognizing those partial orders which admit a valuation: this is a linear-algebraic condition which arises naturally in an algebraic/geometric context. We show that a partial order has at most one valuation (which is integer-valued) and present various structural conditions which are either necessary or sufficient for a partial order to be valuable. The first main result is a reduction theorem which allows us to restrict attention to those partial orders which do not have a bounded cutset. We use this and a theorem of Kelly and Rival to prove the second main result: that every contraction of a bounded partial order is fibre-valuable if and only if the partial order is a dismantlable lattice. This result has a geometric interpretation.This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada under operating grant OGP0105392.     

Fractional dimension of partial orders

Given a partially ordered setP=(X, ), a collection of linear extensions {L ₁,L ₂,...,L _r } is arealizer if, for every incomparable pair of elementsx andy, we havex<y in someL _i (andy<x in someL _j ). For a positive integerk, we call a multiset {L ₁,L ₂,...,L _t } ak-fold realizer if for every incomparable pairx andy we havex<y in at leastk of theL _i 's. Lett(k) be the size of a smallestk-fold realizer ofP; we define thefractional dimension ofP, denoted fdim(P), to be the limit oft(k)/k ask. We prove various results about the fractional dimension of a poset.Research supported in part by the Office of Naval Research.     

A note on sphere containment orders

Using the ideas of Scheinerman and Wierman [1] and of Hurlbert [2] we give a very short proof that the infinite order [2]×[3]× cannot be represented by containment of Euclidean balls in ad-dimensional space for anyd. Also we give representations of the orders [2]×[2]× and [3]×[3]×[3] by containment of circles in the plane.The work was financially supported by the Russian Foundation of Fundamental Research, Grant 93-011-1486     

N-free orders and minimal interval extensions

We investigate problems related to the set of minimal interval extensions of N-free orders. This leads us to a correspondence between this set for an arbitrary order and a certain set of its maximal N-free reductions. We also get a 1-1-correspondence between the set of linear extensions of an arbitrary order and the set of minimal interval extensions of the linegraph of that order. This has an algorithmic consequence, namely the problem of counting minimal interval extensions of an N-free order is #P-complete. Finally a characterization of all N-free orders with isomorphic root graph is given in terms of their lattice of maximal antichains; the lattices are isomorphic iff the root graphs agree.This work was supported by the PROCOPE Program. The first author is supported by the DFG.     

Two properties of projective orders

We prove a closure property of the class of projective orders without infinite chains, and strengthen Larose's theorem on the equivalence between projectivity and quasiprojectivity for finite orders.