A lower bound on the number of elements outside a closed subset of a C-basis of a commutative C-algebra with dual a table algebra is derived, as is an equivalent condition for when the lower bound is met. As corollaries, lower bounds are obtained on the number of primitive idempotent matrices of rank greater than 1 in the adjacency algebra of a commutative, imprimitive association scheme; and, for a given normal subgroup N of a finite group C. on the number of irreducible characters of G whose kernels do not contain N, and on the number of conjugacy classes of G not contained in N. Also found ...
