Sumsets in vector spaces over finite fields (Q1271156)

Let \(p\) be a prime number. This article gives an explicit determination of the least possible size of the sumset of two subsets \(A, B \subseteq (\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{Z})^n\), with fixed cardinalities. This generalizes the Cauchy-Davenport Theorem, which considers the case \(n = 1\), and Yuzvinsky's Theorem, which considers the case \(p = 2\). The solution involves a generalization of the Hopf-Stiefel-Pfister function. These functions are characterized in the article by recursion formulas. The more general case of sumsets with \(m\) summands, \(m \geq 2\), is also solved in this paper. Finally, extensive results (though not a complete solution) are obtained for the least possible size of the restricted sumset of two subsets in \((\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{Z})^n\) of fixed cardinalities. (The restricted sumset is formed by taking sums of distinct elements only.).