The \(h\)-vector of a ladder determinantal ring cogenerated by \(2\times 2\) minors is log-concave (Q2572057)

A sequence \(\{a_1,a_2, \dots, a_n\}\) of real numbers is called log-concave if \(a_{i-1}a_{i+1}\leq a_i^2\) for \(i\in\{2,3,\dots,n-1\}\). A conjecture by Stanley stated that the \(h\)-vector of a Cohen-Macaulay standard graded algebra is log-concave. This conjecture is not true in general, but several natural weakenings have been considered. In particular one can ask if the \(h\)-vector is log-concave for ladder determinantal rings, which are known to be Cohen Macaulay. In the paper the conjecture is proved in the simplest case, that is, for ladder determinantal rings cogenerated by a two by two minor.