Linear discrepancy of the product of two chains (Q2490422)

For a partially ordered set \(P=(X,\prec)\), a function \(f: X\;\rightarrow Z\) is isotone on \(P\) if \(f(x)\leq f(y)\) for all \(x,y\in X\) satisfying \(x\prec y\). The linear discrepancy ld\((P)\) of \(P\) is the minimum integer \(l\) such that \(| f(a)-f(b)| \leq l\) for every injective isotone \(f: X\rightarrow Z\) and every pair of incomparable elements \(a,b\) in \(X\). Let \({\mathbf m}\times{\mathbf n}\) be the product of two chains of sizes \(m\) and \(n\), respectively. The authors prove that ld\(({\mathbf m}\times{\mathbf n})=\lceil\frac{mn}{2}\rceil-2\), for \((m,n)\not= (2,2)\) and ld\(({\mathbf 2}\times{\mathbf 2})=1\).