The geometric reason for the non-existence of a MOL(6)

The problem of Euler concerning the 36 officers, (Euler, in Leonardi Euleri Opera Ser I 7:291–392, 1782), was first solved by Tarry (Comptes rendus Ass Franc Sci Nat 1 (1900) 2:170–203, 1901). Short proofs for the non-existence were given in Betten (Unterricht 36:449–453, 1983), Beth et al. (Design Theory, Bibl. Inst. Mannheim, Wien, Zürich, 1985), Stinson (J Comb Theory A 36:373–376, 1984). This problem is equivalent to the existence of a MOL(6), i. e., a pair of mutually orthogonal latin squares of order 6. Therefore in Betten (Mitt Math Ges Hamburg 39:59–76, 2019; Res Math 76:9, 2021; Algebra Geom 62:815–821, 2021) the structure of a (hypothetical) MOL(6) was studied. Now we combine the old proofs and the new studies and filter out a simple way for the proof of non-existence. The aim is not only to give still other short proofs, but to analyse the problem and reveal the geometric reason for the non-existence of a MOL(6)- and the non-solvability of Euler’s problem.

Orders and polytropes: matrix algebras from valuations

We apply tropical geometry to study matrix algebras over a field with valuation. Using the shapes of min-max convexity, known as polytropes, we revisit the graduated orders introduced by Plesken and Zassenhaus. These are classified by the polytrope region. We advance the ideal theory of graduated orders by introducing their ideal class polytropes. This article emphasizes examples and computations. It offers first steps in the geometric combinatorics of endomorphism rings of configurations in affine buildings.