Exact pairs of homogeneous zero divisors (Q5965117)

A pair of elements \((a, b)\) in a commutative ring \(S\) is called an exact pair of zero divisors if \((0:_ S a)=(b)\) and \((0:_ S b)=(a)\). Let \(S\) be a standard graded Artinian algebra over a field and identify constraints on the Hilbert function of \(S\) which are imposed by the hypothesis that \(S\) contains an exact pair \((\theta_ 1, \theta_ 2)\) of homogeneous zero divisors. In the present paper the authors prove that the polynomial \(1+t+t^2+\cdots+t^{\text{deg}\theta_ 1+\text{deg}\theta_ 2-1}\) divides the Hilbert series of \(S\) in the polynomial ring \(\mathbb{Z}[t]\).