Axioms for the g-vector of general convex polytopes

Abstract

McMullen's g-vector is important for simple convex polytopes. This paper postulates axioms for its extension to general convex polytopes. It also conjectures that, for each dimension d, a stated finite calculation gives the formula for the extended g-vector. This calculation is done by computer for d=5 and the results analysed. The conjectures imply new linear inequalities on convex polytope flag vectors. Underlying the axioms is a hypothesised higher-order homology extension to middle perversity intersection homology (order-zero homology), which measures the failure of lower-order homology to have a ring structure.