Extending arcs: an elementary proof (Q2571299)

Let \(\pi\) be some finite projective plane of order \(n\) and let \(K\) be an arc in \(\pi\) of size \(k\). The author formulates two conditions about \(\pi\). Condition A states that every arc of size \(k \geq (n+4)/2 \) is contained in a unique complete arc, while condition B requires that for every complete arc \(K\) there is no point of \(\pi\) that lies on as many as \(\delta+2\) tangents of \(K\), where \(\delta := n+2-k\). The author verifies that in fact both conditions are equivalent. Planes \(\pi\) satisfying these conditions are called AB-planes. It is well known that the classical planes \(PG(2,q)\) with \(q\) even are AB-planes, since they meet condition A. There are examples of planes of even order that fail to satisfy condition A, see [\textit{G. Menichetti}, Atti Accad. Naz. Lincei, VIII. Ser., Rend., Cl. Sci. Fis. Mat. Nat. 56, 518--525 (1974; Zbl 0314.50012)]. In 1983, Thas proved that in \(PG(2,q)\) with \(q\) even every arc of size \(k > q - \sqrt{q+1/4} +3/2\) is contained in a unique hyperoval. This theorem is generalized to AB-planes. Furthermore in the context of AB-planes it is shown that for \(n\) even every arc of odd size \(k\) with \(k > n - \sqrt n + 1\) is contained in a unique hyperoval. In particular this result is true for \(PG(2,q)\) if \(q=2^t\).