English

Counting edges in factorization graphs of numerical semigroup elements

Combinatorics 2025-11-19 v2 Commutative Algebra

Abstract

A numerical semigroup SS is an additively-closed set of non-negative integers, and a factorization of an element nn of SS is an expression of nn as a sum of generators of SS. It is known that for a given numerical semigroup SS, the number of factorizations of nn coincides with a quasipolynomial (that is, a polynomial whose coefficients are periodic functions of nn). One of the standard methods for computing certain semigroup-theoretic invariants involves assembling a graph or simplicial complex derived from the factorizations of nn. In this paper, we prove that for two such graphs (which we call the factorization support graph and the trade graph), the number of edges coincides with a quasipolynomial function of nn, and identify the degree, period, and leading coefficient of each. In the process, we uncover a surprising geometric connection: a combinatorially-assembled cubical complex that is homeomorphic to real projective space.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2401.06912,
  title  = {Counting edges in factorization graphs of numerical semigroup elements},
  author = {Mariah Moschetti and Christopher O'Neill},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2401.06912},
  year   = {2025}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-28T14:15:45.692Z