The ideal of forms vanishing at a finite set of points in \({\mathbb{P}}^ n\) (Q798722)

Let \(X=\{P_ 1,...,P_ s\}\) be a set of distinct points in \({\mathbb{P}}^ n(k)\), 2\(\leq n\leq s\), \(k=\bar k\) an algebraically closed field. Let I be the ideal of these points in \(R=k[x_ 0,...,x_ n]\) and \(H_ X(-)\) the Hilbert function of the coordinate ring \(A=R/I\) of these points. The points are in generic position if \(H_ X(t)=\min\{(^{t+n}),s\}\), for all t. Almost all sets of s points in \({\mathbb{P}}^ n\) are in generic position and the problem considered in this paper is whether or not there is an open set in \(({\mathbb{P}}^ n)^ s\) on which the number of generators of the corresponding ideals has the constant value conjectured by \textit{A. V. Geramita} and \textit{F. Orecchia} in J. Algebra. 78, 36-57 (1982; Zbl 0502.14001). An affirmative answer to the conjecture is given for all s when \(n=2\) and for several infinite families of s for \(n>2.\) These results give the complete minimal free resolution for a general set of s points in \({\mathbb{P}}^ 2\) and thereby also settle a conjecture of \textit{L. G. Roberts} (for \(n=2)\) [C. R. Math. Rep. Acad. Sci., Soc. R. Can. 3, 43-48 (1981; Zbl 0451.14017)]. As a byproduct to our investigations, we where able to make some comments on a problem posed by Abhyankar concerning the least degree of a nonsingular curve passing through a finite set of points in \({\mathbb{P}}^ n\).