On polynomials of small range sum

In order to reprove an old result of R\'edei's on the number of directions determined by a set of cardinality $p$ in $\mathbb{F}_p^2$, Somlai proved that the non-constant polynomials over the field $\mathbb{F}_p$ whose range sums are equal to $p$ are of degree at least $\frac{p-1}{2}$. Here we characterise all of these polynomials having degree exactly $\frac{p-1}{2}$, if $p$ is large enough. As a consequence, for the same set of primes we re-establish the characterisation of sets with few determined directions due to Lov\'asz and Schrijver using discrete Fourier analysis

A generalization of the cylinder conjecture for divisible codes

We extend the original cylinder conjecture on point sets in affine three-dimensional space to the more general framework of divisible linear codes over $\mathbb{F}_q$ and their classification. Through a mix of linear programming, combinatorial techniques and computer enumeration, we investigate the structural properties of these codes. In this way, we can prove a reduction theorem for a generalization of the cylinder conjecture, show some instances where it does not hold and prove its validity for small values of $q$. In particular, we correct a flawed proof for the original cylinder conjecture for $q = 5$ and present the first proof for $q = 7$.Comment: 16 page