On fillings of \(2N\)-gons with rhombi (Q686455)

Generalizing a result of \textit{G. Ringel} [Math. Z. 64, 79-102 (1956; Zbl 0070.161)] on simple pseudoline arrangements, the following theorem is proved: Let \(A\) and \(A'\) be two almost simple pseudoline arrangements with the same \(n\) points at infinity, each one with the same multiplicity in \(A\) and \(A'\). One can obtain from \(A\) an arrangement \(A_ 1\) (determining the same class of orientations of the same oriented matroid of rank 3 as \(A')\) by a sequence of switchings of one triangle. (Switching a triangle means changing slightly the relative position of only three pseudolines such that the triangle orientation is changing and of no one the triangles switched intersects \(\ell_ \infty\).) The result is obtained by or interpreted in terms of fillings of zonogones (having \(n\) zones) with rhombi, and families of vectors in \(Z^ n\), respectively. In addition, an interesting relation to Penrose tilings is shown.