Generalized Splines and Graphic Arrangements

Abstract: We define a chain complex for generalized splines on graphs, analogous to that introduced by Billera and refined by Schenck-Stillman for splines on polyhedral complexes. The hyperhomology of this chain complex yields bounds on the projective dimension of the ring of generalized splines. We apply this construction to the module of derivations of a graphic multi-arrangement, yielding homological criteria for bounding its projective dimension and determining freeness. As an application, we show that a graphic arrangement admits a free constant multiplicity iff it splits as a product of braid arrangements.