Support functions of general convex sets (Q2496150)

The concept of the support function of a compact convex set was introduced by H.\, Minkowski at the end of the 19th century. Support functions of compact convex subsets of a finite-dimensional Euclidean space are characterized as positively homogeneous convex real-valued functions and compact convex sets are uniquely determined by their support functions. Work of A.\, Romanowska and J.\, D.\, H.\, Smith extended the concept of the support functions to general bounded convex sets. The method was to find a suitable codomain so that non-empty bounded convex subsets are determined uniquely by their support functions valued in the codomain. Conditions were found characterizing the support functions amongst all of functions valued in the codomain. The aim of the paper is to produce support functions specifying general convex subsets of a finite-dimensional Euclidean space. A codomain satisfying the mentioned property is constructed. Algebraic structure on \(\mathbb R\) induces algebraic structure on the set of real-valued functions. However, the usual linear algebraic structure on \(\mathbb R\) is unsuitable here. The key algebraic structure on \(\mathbb R\) for use in this context is a barycentric algebra and the maximum operation forming a join semilattice. The support functions then form a submodal of the induced modal on the full set of functions, and modal structure on the support functions reflects exactly the modal structure on the compact convex sets given by convex combinations and convex hulls of unions.