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Combinatorial Properties of Finite Geometric Lattices

Citation

Greene, Curtis (1969) Combinatorial Properties of Finite Geometric Lattices. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/0VKW-5375. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:02222016-103219152

Abstract

Let L be a finite geometric lattice of dimension n, and let w(k) denote the number of elements in L of rank k. Two theorems about the numbers w(k) are proved: first, w(k) ≥ w(1) for k = 2, 3, ..., n-1. Second, w(k) = w(1) if and only if k = n-1 and L is modular. Several corollaries concerning the "matching" of points and dual points are derived from these theorems.

Both theorems can be regarded as a generalization of a theorem of de Bruijn and Erdös concerning ʎ= 1 designs. The second can also be considered as the converse to a special case of Dilworth's theorem on finite modular lattices.

These results are related to two conjectures due to G. -C. Rota. The "unimodality" conjecture states that the w(k)'s form a unimodal sequence. The "Sperner" conjecture states that a set of non-comparable elements in L has cardinality at most max/k {w(k)}. In this thesis, a counterexample to the Sperner conjecture is exhibited.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:(Mathematics)
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Mathematics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Dilworth, Robert P.
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:7 April 1969
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NSFUNSPECIFIED
CaltechUNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:02222016-103219152
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:02222016-103219152
DOI:10.7907/0VKW-5375
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:9572
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By:INVALID USER
Deposited On:22 Feb 2016 21:55
Last Modified:29 Apr 2024 21:11

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