Farthest points on convex surfaces (Q1380112): Difference between revisions

Let \(C\) be a convex surface in \(\mathbb R^3\) and \(\rho\) be its intrinsic metrics, induced by the Euclidean distance in \(\mathbb R^3\). Let \(x\in C\) and \(F_x\) be the set of all ``farthest points'' of \(C\) from \(x\), i.e., \(F_x\) is such that \(C\setminus F_x=\{ y\in C | \exists z\in C : \rho (x,y) <\rho (x,z)\}\). The author of the paper under review studies the following question originally raised by H. Steinhaus: ``What can be said qualitatively about \(F_x\)?'' The author obtains various deep properties of \(F_x\). For example, he proves the following topological characterization of \(F_x\): ``Let \(\Sigma\) be a segment on the sphere \(S^2\subset \mathbb R^3\), \(C\) be a closed convex surface in \(\mathbb R^3\), and \(x\in C\). Then there exists a homeomorphism \(\phi :C\to S^2\) such that \(\phi (F_x) \subset \Sigma\). Moreover, for any closed set \(\Theta\subset\Sigma\) there exist a closed convex surface \(C\) in \(\mathbb R^3\), \(x\in C\), and a homeomorphism \(\phi :C\to S^2\) such that \(\phi (F_x)=\Theta\).'' Another remarkable geometric property of \(F_x\), established by the author, is that any three of its points (if it contains at least three) form an obtuse or right geodesic triangle. The techniques, used by the author, is based on the Alexandrow comparison triangle theorem [\textit{A. D. Alexandrow}, Die innere Geometrie der konvexen Flächen. (German. Russian original) (Mathematische Lehrbücher und Monographien, II. Abt. Bd. IV.) Berlin: Akademie-Verlag (1955; Zbl 0065.15102)] and some previous results by the author [see, for example, Math. Nachr. 172, 313-324 (1995; Zbl 0833.53004)]. The latter circumstance implies that proofs of some theorems in the paper under review are not self contained.