Sets of generators and chains of subspaces
From MaRDI portal
Publication:6328307
DOI10.1007/S13366-020-00519-2arXiv1910.14660MaRDI QIDQ6328307FDOQ6328307
Authors: Antonio Pasini 
Publication date: 31 October 2019
Abstract: The rank of a point-line geometry G is usually defined as the generating rank of G, namely the minimal cardinality of a generating set. However, when the subspace lattice of G satisfies the Exchange Property we can also try a different definition: consider all chains of subspaces of G and take the least upper bound of their lengths as the rank of G. If G is finitely generated then these two definitions yield the same number. On the other hand, as we shall show in this paper, if infinitely many points are needed to generate G then the rank as defined in the latter way is often (perhaps always) larger than the generating rank. So, if we like to keep the first definition we should accordingly discard the second one or modify it. We can modify it as follows: consider only well ordered chains instead of arbitrary chains. As we shall prove, the least upper bound of the lengths of well ordered chains of subspaces is indeed equal to the generating rank. According to this result, the (possibly infinite) rank of a polar space can be characterized as the least upper bound of the lengths of well ordered chains of singular subspaces; referring to arbitrary chains would be an error.
General theory of linear incidence geometry and projective geometries (51A05) Abstract geometries with exchange axiom (51D10) General theory of nonlinear incidence geometry (51B05)
This page was built for publication: Sets of generators and chains of subspaces
Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q6328307)
