On null 3-hypergraphs

Given a 3-uniform hypergraph H consisting of a set V of vertices, and [Formula presented] triples, a null labelling is an assignment of ±1 to the triples such that each vertex is contained in an equal number of triples labelled +1 and −1. Thus, the signed degree of each vertex is zero. A necessary condition for a null labelling is that the degree of every vertex of H is even. The Null Labelling Problem is to determine whether H has a null labelling. It is proved that this problem is NP-complete. Computer enumerations suggest that most hypergraphs which satisfy the necessary condition do have a null labelling. Some constructions are given which produce hypergraphs satisfying the necessary condition, but which do not have a null labelling. A self complementary 3-hypergraph with this property is also constructed.