Perimeter approximation of convex discs in the hyperbolic plane and on the sphere (Q2230926)

The perimeter deviation of two convex discs \(K\) and \(L\) (nonempty, compact, convex sets with interior points) in the Euclidean plane is defined as the perimeter of \(K\cup L\) minus the perimeter of \(K\cap L\). According to a result of \textit{H. G. Eggleston} [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (3) 7, 351--377 (1957; Zbl 0080.15603)], for a given convex disc \(K\) and an integer \(n\ge 3\), a convex polygon with at most \(n\) vertices that minimizes the perimeter deviation from \(K\) is always inscribed in \(K\). The present paper proves the analogous result in the hyperbolic plane. Further, an example is given showing that there is no analogue on the sphere. A consequence of the first result is that the minimum perimeter deviation of convex \(n\)-gons from a given convex disc in the hyperbolic plane is a concave function of \(n\).