A Helly-type theorem for line transversals to disjoint unit balls (Q1404524)

The authors prove the existence of a number \(n_0 \leq 46\) with the following property: if every \(n_0\) balls from any family \(\mathcal F\) of at least \(n_0\) pairwise disjoint balls in \(E^3\) have a line transversal, then \(\mathcal F\) has a line transversal. Moreover it is shown that if a family \(\mathcal F\) of at least \(12\) pairwise disjoint balls is ordered and if for every \(12\) balls from \(\mathcal F\) there is a line which intersects those balls consistent with the ordering, then \(\mathcal F\) has a line transversal.