Extremal behaviour in sectional matrices

Abstract

In this paper we want to revive the object sectional matrix which encodes the Hilbert functions of successive hyperplane sections of a homogeneous ideal. We translate and/or reprove recent results in this language. Moreover, some new results are shown about their maximal growth and Persistence Theorem, a gen- eralization of Gotzmann's persistence Theorem. This suggests that further investigation of this object might cast a new light in the study of geometric consequences of maximal growth of the Hilbert function.