Some almost exceptional arrangements (Q1312846)

In this paper under review, an infinite family of real hyperplane arrangements in \(\mathbb{R}^ n\) is investigated. These arrangements are denoted by \(E_ n'\), and they were previously constructed by P. Orlik, L. Solomon, and H. Terao who also conjectured that all of them are free in the sense of \textit{H. Terao} [J. Fac. Sci., Univ. Tokyo, Sect. I A 27, 293-312 (1980; Zbl 0509.14006)]. However, the paper shows that this conjecture is false proving the following result: \(E_ n'\) is free for \(n\leq 7\), but not free for \(n\geq 9\). A discussion concerning the remaining open case of \(E_ 8'\) is included, as well.