Sabitov polynomials for volumes of polyhedra in four dimensions (Q2445306)

Let \(K\) be an abstract simplicial complex that triangulates a closed, oriented surface and \(P: K \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^3\) a (potentially degenerate) map that is linear on each face of \(K\). \textit{I. Kh. Sabitov} [Fundam. Prikl. Mat. 2, No. 4, 1235--1246 (1996; Zbl 0904.52002)] showed that there exists a monic polynomial \(Q(V,\ell) = V^N + a_1(\ell)V^{N-1} + a_2(\ell)V^{N-2}+\cdots+a_n(\ell)\) with the following properties 1. \(\ell\) denotes the set of variables \(\ell_{uv} = \ell_{vu}\) corresponding to the lengths of the edges of \(P\), 2. each coefficient \(a_j(\ell)\) is a rational polynomial in the set of variables \(\ell\), and 3. \(Q(V(P),\ell(P)) = 0\); that is, the volume of the polyhedron \(P\) is a root of the polynomial \(Q\). This paper extends the results of Sabitov to oriented \(3\)-manifolds and even to oriented \(3\)-dimensional pseudomanifolds. The main theorem in the present paper is the following result. Let \(K\) be an oriented \(3\)-dimensional pseudomanifold and \(P: K \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^4\) a map that is linear on each face of \(K\). Then there exists a monic polynomial whose coefficients are polynomial functions of the edge lengths of \(P\) with rational coefficients that has the generalized volume of \(P\) as a root.