\(3\)-designs from PGL\((2,q)\) (Q2500969)

Summary: The group PGL\((2,q)\), \(q=p^n\), \(p\) an odd prime, is \(3\)-transitive on the projective line and therefore it can be used to construct \(3\)-designs. In this paper, we determine the sizes of orbits from the action of PGL\((2,q)\) on the \(k\)-subsets of the projective line when \(k\) is not congruent to \(0\) and 1 modulo \(p\). Consequently, we find all values of \(\lambda\) for which there exist \(3\)-\((q+1,k,\lambda)\) designs admitting PGL\((2,q)\) as automorphism group. In the case \(p\equiv 3\)~mod~4, the results and some previously known facts are used to classify 3-designs from PSL\((2,p)\) up to isomorphism.