Convex polyhedra with regularity conditions and Hilbert's third problem (Q5959349): Difference between revisions

The book presents a naive approach to 3-dimensional Euclidean geometry in a very intuitive and pleasant way. However, not enough attention to rigour and precision has been paid in some places, sometimes with damaging effects, as it happens, for instance, in Chapter 3, where the Euler formula for convex polyhedra is stated without any reference to the fact that the polyhedron needs to be convex. After an introductory first chapter, the second chapter is dedicated to the definition of the concepts and terms that will appear throughout the book. Chapter 3 deals with the Euler formula for convex polyhedra and the Descartes theorem, displaying two proofs for the latter, one based on the Euler formula; it also contains some results by Georg Pick and considerations on the impossibility of some sets of values of solid angles for polyhedra. In chapter 4, regularity conditions for polyhedra are stated and then chapters 4 and 5 deal with the existence and metric properties of the Platonic solids, while chapters 6 and 7 consider semi-regular polyhedra, giving two different approaches to its enumeration, and chapter 8 describes deltahedra, adding several helpful drawings and diagrams to the text. Chapter 10 is a note on stellation of polygons and polyhedra. The study of regular faced polyhedra is made in chapters 9, 11 and 12: in chapter 9 some arguments are given to justify that there are only a finite number of different regular faced polyhedra and chapters 11 and 12 deal with the enumeration. One should point out that a very good explanation, supported with several drawings, on how those polyhedra can be constructed can be found in chapter 12. Chapter 13 is dedicated to Hilbert's third problem.