Packing/covering conjecture for infinite matroid families

Let (MkkK)(M_k\mid k\in K) be a family of matroids on the same ground set EE. A packing consists of pairwise disjoint spanning sets, one for each MkM_k, and a covering consists of independent sets IkI_k in MkM_k whose union covers EE. For PEP\subseteq E, write MkPM_k\restriction_P for restriction, and for CEC\subseteq E, write Mk.CM_k.C for contraction. Packing/covering conjecture. The ground set admits a partition

E=P˙CE=P\mathbin{\dot\cup}C

such that (MkPkK)(M_k\restriction_P\mid k\in K) has a packing and (Mk.CkK)(M_k.C\mid k\in K) has a covering. This conjecture is stated as equivalent to the matroid intersection conjecture and unifies the infinite base packing and base covering problems.

Sources & referencesView supporting material

Primary source

Nathan Bowler and Johannes Carmesin, “Matroid intersection, base packing and base covering for infinite matroids”, arXiv:1202.3409 (2012).

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