Likeable functions in finite fields (Q1063227)

The concept of a likeable function over a finite field of order \(q=p^ r\) was introduced by \textit{W. Kantor} [ibid. 42, 227-234 (1982; Zbl 0511.51011)] for the purpose of constructing certain interesting translation planes of order \(q^ 2\). It is shown that when q is odd then, except for the class shown by Kantor to occur in fields of characteristic 5, any other non-zero likeable function can exist only if \(r>\max (\sqrt{p},2).\)