Bounds on a class of partial partitions of a vector space over gf(2):a graph theoretical approach

Abstract

A collection Q of linearly independent w-suhicfs of the n-dimensional vector space V(n) over GF(2) is a w-quilt if whenever X and Y are distinct elements of Q, then X is disjoint from the linear span of Y. The main problem is to determine the maximum possibility cardinality of a w-quilt in V(n) for fixed w and n. Here a graph T(Q) is associated with each quilt Q. The connected components of T(Q) are shown to be complete graphs and the structure of the subquilts corresponding to these components is completely determined. By use of Ramsey type arguments these results are shown to lead to new upper bounds on the cardinality of a w-quilt in V(n) where n = w + 2, a case of particular interest.