On complete arcs in Steiner systems S(2,3,v) and S(2,4,v) (Q2641309)

An s-arc in a Steiner system S(2,k,v) is a set of s points met by every block in at most two points. An arc is complete if every point in its complement lies on at least one secant block. The minimum possible size for a complete s-arc in an S(2,k,v) is determined by imposing the condition that every point off the arc lies on exactly one secant block. Necessary arithmetic conditions are given on v for an S(2,k,v), \(k=3\) and 4, to contain a complete arc of minimum possible size. Examples are provided of S(2,3,v)'s and S(2,4,v)'s containing such arcs. Furthermore, the problem is examined of partitioning an S(2,3,v) and an S(2,4,v) into complete arcs of minimum possible size and examples are given of Steiner systems admitting such a partition. A natural sequel to this paper is the following of \textit{C. J. Colbourn, K. T. Phelps, M. J. de Resmini} and \textit{A. Rosa}, Partitioning Steiner triple systems into complete arcs, ibid. 89, 149-160 (1991).