The generating rank of the \(U_{4}(3)\) near hexagon (Q2461217)

For a partial linear space \(\Gamma = (P.L)\) and a subset \(X \subseteq P\) of points, let \(\langle X\rangle_{\Gamma}\) be the smallest subspace of \(\Gamma\) containing the set \(X\). The minimal number gr\( (\Gamma) := \min\{| X | : X \subseteq P, \langle X\rangle_ {\Gamma} = P \}\) of points that generates the complete point set \(P\) is called the generating rank of \(\Gamma\). The maximal dimension of a vector space \(V\) for which \(\Gamma\) has a full embedding in PG\((V)\) is called the embedding rank er\((\Gamma)\). If er\((\Gamma)\) exists, then \(\text{er}(\Gamma) \leq \text{gr}(\Gamma)\). The author proves that both the generating rank and the embedding rank of \(\mathbb E_{3}\) is 21. Previously, it was known that the er\(({\mathbb E}_{3})=21\), see [\textit{S. Yoshiara}, Geom. Dedicata 43, No. 2, 121--165 (1992; Zbl 0760.51010)] and [\textit{M. K. Bardoe}, Geom. Dedicata 56, No. 1, 7--17 (1995; Zbl 0843.51007)].