A multiplicative formula for structure constants in the cohomology of flag varieties

Abstract

Let G be a complex semi-simple Lie group and let P,Q be a pair of parabolic subgroups of G such that Q contains P. Consider the flag varieties G/P, G/Q and Q/P. We show that certain structure constants in H^*(G/P) with respect to the Schubert basis can be written as a product of structure constants coming from H^*(G/Q) and H^*(Q/P) in a very natural way. The primary application is to compute Levi-movable structure constants defined by Belkale and Kumar. We also give a generalization of this product formula in the branching Schubert calculus setting.