The cross number of minimal zero-sum sequences in finite abelian groups. (Q2517125)

Let \(G\) be a finite Abelian group, write \(G=\bigoplus_{i=1}^rC_{p_i^{a_i}}\) (with prime \(p_i\)'s), and let \(K(G)\), \(k(G)\) be the cross number, resp. the little cross number of \(G\), defined in the following way: for a finite sequence \(S\) of elements of \(G\) let \(v_g(S)\) be the number of occurrences of the element \(g\in G\) in \(S\), put \[ k(S)=\sum_{g\in G}{v_g(S)\over\text{ord}(g)}. \] Then \(K(G)\) is the maximal value of \(k(S)\) when \(S\) ranges over all minimal zero-sum sequences, and \(k(G)\) is the maximal value of \(k(S)\) when \(S\) ranges over all sequences without a zero-sum subsequence. It has been conjectured by \textit{U. Krause} and \textit{C. Zahlten} [Mitt. Math. Ges. Hamb. 12, No. 3, 681-696 (1991; Zbl 0756.20010)] that \[ k(G)=k^*(G):=\sum_{j=1}^r\left(1-{1\over p_i^{a_i}}\right),\tag{1} \] and \[ K(G)=K^*(G):=k^*(G)+{1\over\exp(G)}.\tag{2} \] The author shows that if (1) holds for a group \(G\) and \(p\) is a prime not dividing \(N=\exp(G)\) and satisfying \[ 1+{1\over 2p+1}>\sum_{d\mid N}{1\over d}, \] then (1) holds for the groups \[ G\oplus C_p^m\oplus C_p^n\quad (m,n=1,2,\ldots). \] He proves also (1) and (2) for \(G=C_{pqr}\) (with distinct primes \(p,q,r\)) and for \(G=H\oplus C_{q^k}\), where \(H\) is a \(p\)-group, and \(q\neq p\) is a prime. For such \(G\) a description is given for sequences \(S\) realizing the maxima.