On the projectivity of B-ovals (Q1081834)

In a projective plane of order n, a projective oval is defined as a set of \(n+1\) points no 3 of which are collinear. A Buekenhout oval (''B-oval'') [\textit{F. Buekenhout}, Rend. Mat. Appl., V. Ser. 25, 333-393 (1966; Zbl 0155.491)], \(B=(M,F)\), of order n consists of a set M of \(n+1\geq 3\) points and a set F of permutations of M such that (i) each \(f\in F\) has order \(\leq 2\), (ii) F is sharply 2-transitive. Coordinates on projective ovals are introduced giving rise to a ternary ring structure in a slightly modified form of that studied by the reviewer [Isr. J. Math. 4, 43-53 (1966; Zbl 0144.197); Am. Math. Mon. 75, 143-146 (1968; Zbl 0173.224)]. This ternary ring structure is called an oval ternary ring (''OTR''). By studying these OTR's, conditions for a B-oval to be a projective oval are developed. The oval and its ''ambient'' can be extended to a projective plane which, in turn, is coordinatized by a Hall ternary ring. The author then examines the connections between this Hall ternary ring and the OTR.