Relative width measures and the plank problem (Q1124116)

Let \(K\subset {\mathbb{R}}^ n\) be a compact convex set and \(\theta\) be a set of directions. A slab S orthogonal to some \(\Theta\in \theta\) is the closed set between two hyperplanes which are orthogonal to \(\Theta\). Let W(K,\(\Theta)\) be the width of K in the direction \(\Theta\). If \(W(K,\Theta)\neq 0\) then the relative width of S in the direction \(\Theta\) is \(w(S,\Theta)=W(K\cap S,\Theta)/W(K,\Theta)\). A relative width measure in K for \(\theta\) is a Borel probability measure \(\mu\) such that \(\mu (S\cap K)=w(S,\Theta)\) for any slab S orthogonal to some \(\Theta\in \theta.\) With a view of Bang's plank problem, the author studies such measures and obtains, among others, the following results: 1. If \(K\subset {\mathbb{R}}^ n\) is convex body and \(\Theta_ 1\), \(\Theta_ 2\) are two directions then there is a relative width measure in K for \(\{\Theta_ 1,\Theta_ 2\}.\) 2. There is a relative measure in the unit ball \(B^ n\subset {\mathbb{R}}^ n\) for the unit sphere \(S^{n-1}\), the set of all directions, if and only if \(n=2\) or 3.