Generalized splines and graphic arrangements (Q510065)

A spline is a piecewise polynomial function defined over a subdivision of a region by simplices or convex polytopes. Given an edge-labeled graph \((G, m)\) where each edge \(e\) is labeled by an ideal \(m(e)\) of an integral domain \(R\), the ring of generalized splines \( R_{G,m}\) on this graph is a subring of the free \(R\)--module on the vertices consisting of tuples which satisfy congruence relations across each edge. A chain complex for generalized splines is defined. The hyperhomology of this chain complex yields bounds on the projective dimension of \(R_{G, m}\). This construction is applied to the module of derivations \(D(\mathcal{A}_{G,m})\) of a graphic multi--arrangement \(\mathcal{A}_G\). This module is isomorphic to a ring of generalized splines. As an application it is proved that a graphic arrangement admits a free constant muliplicity if and only if it splits as a product of brain arrangements.