We describe a method of computing equivariant and ordinary intersection cohomology of certain varieties with actions of algebraic
tori, in terms of structure of the zero- and one-dimensional orbits. The class of varieties to which our formula applies includes
Schubert varieties in flag varieties and affine flag varieties. We also prove a monotonicity result on local intersection
cohomology stalks.
Mathematics Subject Classification (1991): 32S60, 14M15, 58K70
Received: 9 November 2000 / Published online: 24 September 2001