Geometric relations in an arbitrary metric space (Q2299438)

\textit{V. F. Kagan} gave an axiomatic definition of a straight line [Grundlagen der Geometrie. Vol 2. Moskau: Staatsverlag für techn.-theoretische Literatur 1949 (1956; Zbl 0049.38001)]. The authors investigate similar questions in any metric space, regardless of the choice of the metric. Let \(x_1\), \(x_2\), \(x_3\) be arbitrary points of a metric space \((X, \rho)\). An ordered triple \((x_1,x_2,x_3)\) of points will be called an angle with a vertex at \(x_2\) and denoted by: \(\angle (x_1, x_2, x_3)\). The pairs \((x_1, x_2)\) and \((x_2, x_3)\), will be called the sides of the angle. The authors use the notation \(\rho(x_i,x_j) = \rho_{ij}\) for the distance between points. They put \((\rho^2_{ij} + \rho^2_{jk} - \rho^2_{ik})/ 2\rho_{ij}\rho_{jk} = \varphi_{ijk}\) and call the real number \(\varphi(x_1, x_2, x_3) = \varphi_{123}\) the characteristic of the angle \(\angle (x_1, x_2, x_3)\). The authors obtain a number of results for the metric space \((X, \rho) = \Pi\) such as: \begin{itemize} \item{--}For three points \(x_1, x_2, x_3\) of the space \(\Pi\), the equality \(1-2\varphi_{213}\varphi_{123}\varphi_{132} -\varphi^2_{213} -\varphi^2_{123} -\varphi^2_{132} = 0\) holds. \item{--} If \(\varphi_{123} = 0\) for the three points \(x_1, x_2, x_3\) of a space \(\Pi\) , then \(\rho_{13} = \rho_{12} + \rho_{23}\). This can be regarded as the extension of the Pythagorean theorem to an arbitrary metric space. \item{--} If for four points \(x_1, x_2, x_3, x_4\) of a space \(\Pi\) \[ \varphi_{123} = -1, \varphi_{124} = \varphi_{324} = \varphi_{143} = 0, \] then \(\rho^2_{24} = \rho_{12}\rho_{23}\). \item{--} For arbitrary three points \(x_1, x_2, x_3\) of the space \(\Pi\), the following equality holds \(\rho_{13} = \rho_{12}\varphi_{213} + \rho_{23}\varphi_{132}\). \end{itemize}