Bruck-Ryser-Chowla theorem

proper noun

A result on the combinatorics of block designs, stating that, if a (v, b, r, k, λ)-design exists with v = b (a symmetric block design), then: (i) if v is even, then k − λ is a square; (ii) if v is odd, then the following Diophantine equation has a nontrivial solution: x² − (k − λ)y² − (−1)^((v−1)/2) λ z² = 0.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. mathematicsA result on the combinatorics of block designs, stating that, if a (v, b, r, k, λ)-design exists with v = b (a symmetric block design), then: (i) if v is even, then k − λ is a square; (ii) if v is odd, then the following Diophantine equation has a nontrivial solution: x² − (k − λ)y² − (−1)^((v−1)/2) λ z² = 0.

Origin

Named after Richard Bruck, H. J. Ryser, and Sarvadaman Chowla.

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Cite this entry
APA

Bruck-Ryser-Chowla theorem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bruck-Ryser-Chowla%20theorem

MLA

“Bruck-Ryser-Chowla theorem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bruck-Ryser-Chowla%20theorem. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Bruck-Ryser-Chowla theorem,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bruck-Ryser-Chowla%20theorem.

Source: Bruck-Ryser-Chowla theorem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.