Tripartite Zarankiewicz numbers and norm graphs

Abstract

For fixed integers $s\ge t\ge2$, let $\operatorname{ex}(n,n,n,K_{s,t})$ denote the maximum number of edges in a tripartite $K_{s,t}$-free graph with $n$ vertices in each part. When $s\ge(t-1)!+1$, let $r$ be the largest integer satisfying $s\ge(t-1)!r^{t-1}+1$. Using the quotient norm graphs of Alon, Rónyai and Szabó, we prove that \[ \operatorname{ex}(n,n,n,K_{s,t}) \ge \left(\frac{3}{2^{1/t}}r^{1-1/t}+o(1)\right)n^{2-1/t}. \] Improving an upper bound of Tait and Timmons, we prove that, for all $s\ge t\ge 2$, \[ \operatorname{ex}(n,n,n,K_{s,t})\le \left(\frac{3}{2^{1/t}}(s-t+1)^{1/t}+o(1)\right)n^{2-1/t}. \] Together, these bounds recover the results for $t=2$, and give the new asymptotic formula \[ \operatorname{ex}(n,n,n,K_{3,3}) =\left(\frac{3}{\sqrt[3]{2}}+o(1)\right)n^{5/3}. \] Analogous results extend to $k$-partite graphs containing no $K_{s, t}$ whose $s$-vertex or $t$-vertex side lies in a single part. As an application of our tripartite construction, we determine the tripartite multicolor Ramsey number of $K_{3,3}$ asymptotically.