Related papers: Rectangles in latin squares

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 $k$-strong defining set, in which if less than $k$ entries are deleted, the…

We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for there to exist a latin square of order $n$ containing two subsquares of order $a$ and $b$ that intersect in a subsquare of order $c$. We also solve the case of two disjoint subsquares. We…

In this paper we propose an algorithm for enumerating diagonal Latin squares of small order. It relies on specific properties of diagonal Latin squares to employ symmetry breaking techniques, and on several heuristic optimizations and bit…

We discuss the problem of existence of latin squares without a substructure consisting of six elements $(r_1,c_2,l_3)$, $(r_2,c_3,l_1)$, $(r_3,c_1,l_2)$, $(r_2,c_1,l_3)$, $(r_3,c_2,l_1)$, $(r_1,c_3,l_2)$. Equivalently, the corresponding…

An array is row-Latin if no symbol is repeated within any row. An array is Latin if it and its transpose are both row-Latin. A transversal in an $n\times n$ array is a selection of $n$ different symbols from different rows and different…

This paper will present some intuitive interpretation of the parastrophe transformations of arbitrary Latin square. With this trick, we can generate the parastrophes of arbitrary Latin square directly from the original one without…

The parity type of a Latin square is defined in terms of the numbers of even and odd rows and columns. It is related to an Alon-Tarsi-like conjecture that applies to Latin squares of odd order. Parity types are used to derive upper bounds…

A latin bitrade (T1, T2) is a pair of partial latin squares which are disjoint, occupy the same set of non-empty cells, and whose corresponding rows and columns contain the same set of entries. A genus may be associated to a latin bitrade…

Computing the autotopism group of a partial Latin rectangle can be performed in a variety of ways. This pilot study has two aims: (a) to compare these methods experimentally, and (b) to identify the design goals one should have in mind for…

We report the results of a computer investigation of sets of mutually orthogonal latin squares (MOLS) of small order. For $n\le9$ we 1. Determine the number of orthogonal mates for each species of latin square of order $n$. 2. Calculate the…

This is a translation of Leonhard Euler's ``De quadratis magicis'' . It is E795 in the Enestrom index. This paper studies how to construct magic squares with certain numbers of cells, in particular 9, 16, 25 and 36. It considers some…

We introduce a notion of parity for transversals, and use it to show that in Latin squares of order $2 \bmod 4$, the number of transversals is a multiple of 4. We also demonstrate a number of relationships (mostly congruences modulo 4)…

A $k \times n$ partial Latin rectangle is \textit{$C$-sparse} if the number of nonempty entries in each row and column is at most $C$ and each symbol is used at most $C$ times. We prove that the probability a uniformly random $k \times n$…

A partial transversal $T$ of a Latin square $L$ is a set of entries of $L$ in which each row, column and symbol is represented at most once. A partial transversal is maximal if it is not contained in a larger partial transversal. Any…

In this paper we study pattern avoidance in Latin Squares, which gives us a two dimensional analogue of the well studied notion of pattern avoidance in permutations. Our main results include enumerating and characterizing the Latin Squares…

In a latin square of order $n$, a near transversal is a collection of $n-1$ cells which intersects each row, column, and symbol class at most once. A longstanding conjecture of Brualdi, Ryser, and Stein asserts that every latin square…

We present a general technique for obtaining permutation polynomials over a finite field from permutations of a subfield. By applying this technique to the simplest classes of permutation polynomials on the subfield, we obtain several new…

We establish an elementary, but rather striking pattern concerning the quartic residues of primes $p$ that are congruent to 5 modulo 8. Let $g$ be a generator of the multiplicative group of $\mathbb Z_p$ and let $M$ be the $4\times 4$…

A Latin square of order $n$ with symbols $a_1,\ldots,a_n$ can be considered as a multiplication table for binary operation in the set $A=\{a_1,\ldots,a_n\}$. We prove that, if this operation is associative, then $A$ is a group.

There exist pairs of orthogonal Latin squares of any order n except if n=2 or n=6 [Bose, Shrikhande and Parker, 1960]. In particular, the problem of Euler's thirty-six officers does not have a solution. However, it has a "quantum solution":…