Unavoidable arrays
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11575/cdm.v5i1.61893Abstract
An $n \times n$ array is \emph{avoidable} if for each set of $n$ symbols there is a Latin square on these symbols which differs from the array in every cell. We characterise all unavoidable square arrays with at most 2 symbols, and all unavoidable arrays of order at most 4. We also identify a number of general families of unavoidable arrays, which we conjecture to be a complete account of unavoidable arrays. Next, we investigate arrays with multiple entries in each cell, and identify a number of families of unavoidable multiple entry arrays. We also discuss fractional Latin squares, and their connections to unavoidable arrays. We note that when rephrasing our results as edge list-colourings of complete bipartite graphs, we have a situation where the lists of available colours are shorter than the length guaranteed by Galvin's theorem to allow proper colourings.Downloads
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