Approximating \(3\)-dimensional convex bodies by polytopes with a restricted number of edges (Q2473586)

Let \(K\) be convex body in \({\mathbb R}^3\) with \(C^2\) boundary and let \(P_n\) be a convex polytope with \(n\) edges circumscribed to \(K\). The authors show that the minimal Hausdorff distance of such a polytope and \(K\) is asymptotically as \(n\to \infty\) \[ \frac12 \int_{\partial K} \kappa^{1/2}(x) \,dx\, \frac1n, \] where \(\kappa(x)\) is the Gaussian curvature of \(\partial K\) at \(x\). This result complements similar results for approximation by polytopes with a given number of vertices or facets by \textit{L. Fejes Tóth} [Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 54, 431--438 (1948; Zbl 0031.27806)] and \textit{R. Schneider} [Math. Ann. 256, 289--301 (1981; Zbl 0445.52004)].