Additive structures on \(f\)-vector sets of polytopes (Q2174106)

This paper presents the proof that there is a natural structure of an affine monoid or semigroup on various \(f\)-vector sets \(F\) of \(d\)-polytopes. An affine semigroup is defined as any structure that is isomorphic to a subset of some integer lattice \(\mathbb{Z}^{d}\) that is closed under addition. The properties of this structure are studied. The research starts in low dimensions, \(d\leq 3\). After that, the affine lattices spanned by all \(d\)-polytopes, and of all simplicial \(d\)-polytopes, are described for all \(d\geq 2\). It is proved that the \(f\)-vector sets of the \(d\)-polytopes are contained in pointed affine sub-monoids of the \(f\)-vector lattices that are also explicitly described. It is proved that the \(f\)-vectors of simplicial/simple \(d\)-polytopes form a monoid by themselves, which is not true in case of the \(f\)-vectors of general \(d\)-polytopes. Results on the geometrical representation of these structures are included.