On generalized \(h\)-vectors of rational polytopes with a symmetry of prime order (Q1302042)

From MaRDI portal
scientific article
Language Label Description Also known as
English
On generalized \(h\)-vectors of rational polytopes with a symmetry of prime order
scientific article

    Statements

    On generalized \(h\)-vectors of rational polytopes with a symmetry of prime order (English)
    0 references
    0 references
    24 July 2000
    0 references
    In [Commutative Algebra and Combinatorics, Advanced Studies in Pure Mathematics, Vol. 11; Kinokuniya (Tokyo) and North-Holland (Amsterdam), 187-213 (1987; Zbl 0652.52007)], \textit{R. Stanley} introduced the concept of the generalized \(h\)-vector \((\widetilde h_0,\dots,\widetilde h_n)\) of an \(n\)-dimensional polytope \(P\); this coincides with the ordinary \(h\)-vector if \(P\) is simplicial. \textit{R. M. Adin} [Adv. Math. 115, No. 2, 269-285 (1995; Zbl 0843.52006)] generalized a result of Stanley on centrally symmetric simplicial polytopes. Here, the author proves a further generalization. If \(P\) is a rational (but not necessarily simplicial) polytope which admits a symmetry of prime order \(p\) with no fixed points on its boundary, then \(p-1\) divides \(n\), and the polynomial \[ \sum^n_{j=0}\widetilde h_jx^j-(1+x+\cdots+x^{p-1})^{n/(p-1)}\in\mathbb{Z}[x] \] is symmetric and unimodal, and all its coefficients are divisible by \(p\). The proof needs the rationality, since it appeals to toric varieties, but one would guess that this is irrelevant. [The reviewer suspects that the author intended to cite his paper Invent. Math. 113, No. 2, 419-444 (1993; Zbl 0803.52007)], instead of the one she actually mentioned].
    0 references
    0 references
    polytope
    0 references
    generalized \(h\)-vector
    0 references
    symmetry
    0 references
    0 references