Representing Integral Monoids By Inequalities

D. Kirby 1, H.P. Williams 1
1 Faculty of Mathematical Studies University of Southampton United Kingdom

Abstract

It is shown how any integral monoid can be represented as the projection of the intersection of the solution set of a finite collection of linear inequalities, and a lattice, both in a possibly higher dimension. This in turn can be used to derive a known representation using Chvátal functions, in the same dimension as the monoid. Both representations can be regarded as discrete analogues of the classical theorems of Weyl and Minkowski, but applicable in non-polyhedral monoids.