Space curves that intersect often (Q2266750)

The central result of the paper is the following theorem: Let X of degree d and Y of degree e be two distinct reduced, irreducible curves in \({\mathbb{P}}^ 3\) neither of which is contained in a hyperplane. Assume \(d\leq e.\) Let m be the number of points in \(X\cap Y\) (not counting multiplicity). Then: \((i) m\leq (d-1)(e-1)+1;\) (ii) If \(m=(d-1)(e-1)+1\) then there exists a quadric hypersurface Q containing \(X\cup Y\). If furthermore \(d\geq 4\) then Q is smooth and on Q, X has type (d-1,1) and Y has type (1,e-1); (iii) If \(d\geq 4\) and \(m\geq (d-2)e+1\) then there exists a smooth quadric Q containing \(X\cup Y.\) The method of proof is to study the ideals of the curves involved. Regularity theorems of Gruson, Lazarsfeld, and Peskine are used.