English

An algorithm for counting arcs in higher-dimensional projective space

Combinatorics 2022-02-02 v2

Abstract

An nn arc in (k1)(k-1)-dimensional projective space is a set of nn points so that no kk lie on a hyperplane. In 1988, Glynn gave a formula to count nn-arcs in the projective plane in terms of simpler combinatorial objects called superfigurations. Several authors have used this formula to count nn-arcs in the projective plane for n10n \le 10. In this paper, we determine a formula to count nn-arcs in projective 3-space. We then use this formula to give exact expressions for the number of nn-arcs in P3(Fq)\mathbb{P}^3(\mathbb{F}_q) for n7n \le 7, which are polynomial in qq for n6n \le 6 and quasipolynomial in qq for n=7n=7. Lastly, we generalize to higher-dimensional projective space.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2108.01024,
  title  = {An algorithm for counting arcs in higher-dimensional projective space},
  author = {Kelly Isham},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2108.01024},
  year   = {2022}
}

Comments

Revised based on referee suggestions. Accepted to Finite Fields and Their Applications

R2 v1 2026-06-24T04:45:47.514Z