Small embeddings of partial directed triple systems and partial triple systems with even λ

Abstract

In 1976, Lindner and Rosa ( Ars Combin. 1 (1976) , 159–166) showed that a partial triple system with λ > 1 can be embedded in a finite triple system with the same λ. This result is improved in the case when λ is even by embedding a partial triple system on υ symbols in a triple system on t symbols, t ≡ 0,1 (mod 3), for all t >/ 3( λυ 2 + υ(2 − λ) + 1). In the process, it is shown that for any λ >/ 1, a partial directed triple system on υ symbols can be embedded in a directed triple system on t symbols, t ≡ 0, 1 (mod 3), for all t ⩾ 6 λv 2 + 6 v(1 − λ) + 3, thus generalizing a result of Hamm (Proceedings, 14th Southeastern Conf. on Combinatorics, Graph Theory, and Computing, Boca Raton, Florida, 1983).