2021arXiv (Cornell University)Open access

An algorithm for counting arcs in higher-dimensional projective space

Kelly Isham

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Abstract

An $n$ arc in $(k-1)$-dimensional projective space is a set of $n$ points so that no $k$ lie on a hyperplane. In 1988, Glynn gave a formula to count $n$-arcs in the projective plane in terms of simpler combinatorial objects called superfigurations. Several authors have used this formula to count $n$-arcs in the projective plane for $n \le 10$. In this paper, we determine a formula to count $n$-arcs in projective 3-space. We then use this formula to give exact expressions for the number of $n$-arcs in $\mathbb{P}^3(\mathbb{F}_q)$ for $n \le 7$, which are polynomial in $q$ for $n \le 6$ and quasipolynomial in $q$ for $n=7$. Lastly, we generalize to higher-dimensional projective space.

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An $n$ arc in $(k-1)$-dimensional projective space is a set of $n$ points so that no $k$ lie on a hyperplane. In 1988, Glynn gave a formula to count $n$-arcs in the projective plane in terms of simpler combinatorial objects called superfigurations. Several authors have used this formula to count $n$-arcs in the projective plane for $n \le 10$. In this paper, we determine a formula to count $n$-arcs in projective 3-space. We then use this formula to give exact expressions for the number of $n$-arcs in $\mathbb{P}^3(\mathbb{F}_q)$ for $n \le 7$, which are polynomial in $q$ for $n \le 6$ and quasipolynomial in $q$ for $n=7$. Lastly, we generalize to higher-dimensional projective space.

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Available abstract

An $n$ arc in $(k-1)$-dimensional projective space is a set of $n$ points so that no $k$ lie on a hyperplane. In 1988, Glynn gave a formula to count $n$-arcs in the projective plane in terms of simpler combinatorial objects called superfigurations. Several authors have used this formula to count $n$-arcs in the projective plane for $n \le 10$. In this paper, we determine a formula to count $n$-arcs in projective 3-space. We then use this formula to give exact expressions for the number of $n$-arcs in $\mathbb{P}^3(\mathbb{F}_q)$ for $n \le 7$, which are polynomial in $q$ for $n \le 6$ and quasipolynomial in $q$ for $n=7$. Lastly, we generalize to higher-dimensional projective space.

Key concepts: Hyperplane, Projective space, Projective plane, Mathematics, Blocking set, Real projective plane, Quaternionic projective space, Combinatorics

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