Completing partial latin squares with 2 filled rows and 3 filled columns

Abstract: The set PLS(a, b; n) is the set of all partial latin squares of order n with a completed rows, b completed columns and all other cells empty. We identify reductions of partial latin squares in PLS(2, 3; n) by using permutations described by filled rows and intersections of filled rows and columns. We find that all partial latin squares in PLS(2, 3;n), where n is sufficiently large, can be completed if such a reduction can be completed. We also show that all partial latin squares in PLS(2, 3; n) where the intersection of filled rows and columns form a latin rectangle have completions for n ≥ 8.