On the structure of \(n\)-point sets (Q2382238)

Let \(n\) be an integer greater than one. Our main result, called the ``Structure Theorem'' is that a set that contains \(n-1\) disjoint continua that are cut by a single line cannot be an \(n\)-point set, that is, a set that meets every line in precisely \(n\) points. This theorem unifies and significantly improves upon a number of known theorems. The second part of the paper is devoted to several theorems that address the question when a set that meets every line in at most \(n\) points can be extended to an \(n\)-point set. These theorems also highlight the sharpness of the Structure Theorem.