Comparing sumsets and difference sets
- Date: 09/19/2006
Lecturer(s):
Greg Martin (University of British Columbia)
Location:
University of British Columbia
Topic:
Since addition is commutative but subtraction is not, the subset S+S of
a finite set S is predisposed to be smaller than the difference set
S-S. As Mel Nathanson wrote:
Even though there exist sets S that have more sums than differences,
such sets should be rare, and it must be true with the right way of
counting that the vast majority of sets satisfy |S-S| > |S+S|.
We talk about joint work with Kevin O'Bryant in which we probe this
statement from various angles, indicating what's right and what's wrong
with Nathanson's belief.
Other Information:
Discrete Math Seminar 2006
Sponsor:
