English

On the Poncelet triangle condition over finite fields

Algebraic Geometry 2016-04-05 v1

Abstract

Let P2{\mathbf P}^2 denote the projective plane over a finite field Fq{\mathbb F}_q. A pair of nonsingular conics (A,B)({\mathcal A}, {\mathcal B}) in the plane is said to satisfy the Poncelet triangle condition if, considered as conics in P2(Fq){\mathbf P}^2({\overline{\mathbb F}}_q), they intersect transverally and there exists a triangle inscribed in A{\mathcal A} and circumscribed around B{\mathcal B}. It is shown in this article that a randomly chosen pair of conics satisfies the triangle condition with asymptotic probability 1/q1/q. We also make a conjecture based upon computer experimentation which predicts this probability for tetragons, pentagons and so on up to enneagons.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1604.00436,
  title  = {On the Poncelet triangle condition over finite fields},
  author = {Jaydeep Chipalkatti},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1604.00436},
  year   = {2016}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-22T13:23:40.831Z