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 -strong defining set, in which if less than entries are deleted, the property of being a defining set is retained. Equivalently, a -strong defining set intersects every Latin trade in the Latin square at least times. In the addition table for integers modulo , when is even we determine the minimum size of a -strong defining set for any . For odd we give a construction for a minimally -strong defining set. We furthermore give computational results for Latin squares of small orders.
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