On infinite K-clan geometry

We discuss infinite elation generalized quadrangles as group coset geometries and use this approach to deal with the special case of those associated with flocks of quadratic cones of PG(3,K).This research begun while the second author was a C.N.R. visiting professor in Italy during May–June 1996.     

On the sharpness of a theorem of B. segre

The theorem of B. Segre mentioned in the title states that a complete arc of PG(2,q),q even which is not a hyperoval consists of at mostq−√q+1 points. In the first part of our paper we prove this theorem to be sharp forq=s ² by constructing completeq−√q+1-arcs. Our construction is based on the cyclic partition of PG(2,q) into disjoint Baer-subplanes. (See Bruck [1]). In his paper [5] Kestenband constructed a class of (q−√q+1)-arcs but he did not prove their completeness. In the second part of our paper we discuss the connections between Kestenband’s and our constructions. We prove that these constructions result in isomorphic (q−√q+1)-arcs. The proof of this isomorphism is based on the existence of a traceorthogonal normal basis in GF(q ³) over GF(q), and on a representation of GF(q)³ in GF(q ³)³ indicated in Jamison [4].     

A completion problem for finite affine planes

A partial affine plane (PAP) of ordern is ann ²-setS of points together with a collection ofn-subsets ofS called lines such that any two lines meet in at most one point. We obtain conditions under which a PAP with nearlyn ²+n lines can be completed to an affine plane by adding lines. In particular, we make use of Bruck’s completion condition for nets to show that certain PAP’s with at leastn ²+n−√n can be completed and that forn≠3 any PAP withn ²+n−2 lines can be completed.     

On linear spaces and matroids of arbitrary cardinality

In this paper, we study linear spaces of arbitrary finite dimension on some (possibly infinite) set. We interpret linear spaces as simple matroids and study the problem of erecting some linear space of dimension n to some linear space of dimension n + 1 if possible. Several examples of some such erections are studied; in particular, one of these erections is computed within some infinite iteration process.Dedicated to the memory of Gian-Carlo Rota     

On a general principle in geometry that leads to functional equations

Summary Suppose that an invariant (or an invariant notion) of some geometry is given, like the distance between two points, the cross ratio of four points, the tangential distance between two spheres (or like the notion of orthogonality, of order, of a circle). One may ask what are the functions preserving (or preserving partially) that invariant (invariant notion). Originating from this principle some functional equation problems are formulated, namely the functional equations of distance, of area, of angle preservance.Dedicated to the memory of Alexander M. Ostrowski on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth.     

Steiner triple systems of order 19 associated with a certain type of projective plane of order 10

It is shown that the existence of a Steiner triple system of order 19 satisfying certain very restrictive conditions would lead to the completion of a large portion of the incidence matrix of a projective plane of order 10.     

The dimension theorem in axiomatic geometry

Given a matroid and an integer n 0, eleven conditions are shown to be equivalent to the validity of the rank formula r(E F) + r(E F = r(E) + r(F) for subspaces satisfying r(EF)n. For n=0 one finds the projective geometries. The case n=1 also includes the affine and the hyperbolic geometries, the case n=2 the Möbius geometries. The general case covers the incidence geometries of grade n of Wille.     

Tactical decompositions and some configurationsv 4

The study of configurations or — more generally — finite incidence geometries is best accomplished by taking into account also their automorphism groups. These groups act on the geometry and in particular on points, blocks, flags and even anti-flags. The orbits of these groups lead to tactical decompositions of the incidence matrices of the geometries or of related geometries. We describe the general procedure and use these decompositions to study symmetric configurationsv ₄ for smallv. Tactical decompositions have also been used to construct all linear spaces on 12 points [2] and all proper linear spaces on 17 points [3].     

On a theorem of Seidel and Walsh

Given a sequence ( _n ) _n in with there are functions such that , is a dense subset of , and the set of functions with this property is residual in . We will show that in and some related Banach spaceX there are functionsf with is dense in , and we will give a sufficient condition when the set of such functions is residual inX.     

Generalized quadrangles with an ovoid that is translation with respect to opposite flags

The article [6] contains the result that if a finite generalized quadrangle of order s has an ovoid that is translation with respect to two opposite flags, but not with respect to any two non-opposite flags, then is self-polar and is the set of absolute points of a polarity. In particular, if is the classical generalized quadrangle Q(4, q) then is a Suzuki-Tits ovoid. In this article, we remove the need to assume that is Q(4, q) in order to conclude that is a Suzuki-Tits ovoid by showing that the initial assumptions in fact imply that is Q(4, q). At the same time, we also relax the requirement that have order s.Received: 14 May 2004     

Maximal arcs in Desarguesian planes of odd order do not exist

Forq an odd prime power, and 1<n<q, the Desarguesian planePG(2,q) does not contain an(nq–q+n,n)-arc.Supported by Italian M.U.R.S.T. (Research Group onStrutture geometriche, combinatoria, loro applicazioni) and G.N.S.A.G.A. of C.N.R.     

Aldo Cossu’s Work in Finite Geometry

A survey of the contributions of Aldo Cossu in finite geometry is given. Dedicated to the memory of Professor Aldo Cossu     

The uniqueness of the near hexagon on 729 points

We prove that any regular near hexagon with 729 vertices and lines of size 3 is derived from the ternary Golay code, thus settling the last case in doubt among the regular near hexagons with lines of size 3.     

The Riemann–Hilbert problem and the generalized Neumann kernel on multiply connected regions

This paper presents and studies Fredholm integral equations associated with the linear Riemann–Hilbert problems on multiply connected regions with smooth boundary curves. The kernel of these integral equations is the generalized Neumann kernel. The approach is similar to that for simply connected regions (see [R. Wegmann, A.H.M. Murid, M.M.S. Nasser, The Riemann–Hilbert problem and the generalized Neumann kernel, J. Comput. Appl. Math. 182 (2005) 388–415]). There are, however, several characteristic differences, which are mainly due to the fact, that the complement of a multiply connected region has a quite different topological structure. This implies that there is no longer perfect duality between the interior and exterior problems.     

Planar functions over finite fields

Letp>2 be a prime. A functionf: GF(p)GF(p) is planar if for everyaGF(p) ^*, the functionf(x+a–f(x) is a permutation ofGF(p). Our main result is that every planar function is a quadratic polynomial. As a consequence we derive the following characterization of desarguesian planes of prime order. IfP is a protective plane of prime orderp admitting a collineation group of orderp ², thenP is the Galois planePG(2,p). The study of such collineation groups and planar functions was initiated by Dembowski and Ostrom [3] and our results are generalizations of some results of Johnson [8].We have recently learned that results equivalent to ours have simultaneously been obtained by Y. Hiramine and D. Gluck.