English

Defining sets which intersect each Latin trade at least twice

Combinatorics 2026-05-28 v1

Abstract

A defining set of a Latin square is a partially filled-in Latin square which completes to no other Latin square of the same order. We introduce the concept of a kk-strong defining set, in which if less than kk entries are deleted, the property of being a defining set is retained. Equivalently, a kk-strong defining set intersects every Latin trade in the Latin square at least kk times. In the addition table for integers modulo nn, when nn is even we determine the minimum size of a kk-strong defining set for any kk. For odd nn we give a construction for a minimally 22-strong defining set. We furthermore give computational results for Latin squares of small orders.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2605.28027,
  title  = {Defining sets which intersect each Latin trade at least twice},
  author = {Richard Bean and Nicholas Cavenagh},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2605.28027},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

12 pages

R2 v1 2026-07-22T07:36:24.730Z