Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4651364 Discrete Mathematics 2006 14 Pages PDF
Abstract

Latin trades are closely related to the problem of critical sets in Latin squares. We denote the cardinality of the smallest critical set in any Latin square of order n   by scs(n)scs(n). A consideration of Latin trades which consist of just two columns, two rows, or two elements establishes that scs(n)⩾n-1scs(n)⩾n-1. We conjecture that a consideration of Latin trades on four rows may establish that scs(n)⩾2n-4scs(n)⩾2n-4. We look at various attempts to prove a conjecture of Cavenagh about such trades. The conjecture is proven computationally for values of n   less than or equal to 9. In particular, we look at Latin squares based on the group table of ZnZn for small n and trades in three consecutive rows of such Latin squares.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Mathematics Discrete Mathematics and Combinatorics
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