The convex hull of random points in a tetrahedron: solution of Blaschke's problem and more general results (Q2729299)

Denote by \(V(n)\) the expected volume of the convex hull of \(n\) random points chosen independently and uniformly from a tetrahedron of volume one. The problem of determining, in particular \(V(4)\), goes back to \textit{W. Blaschke} [Leipz. Ber. 69, 436-453 (1917; JFM 46.0764.02)] and was pointed out in his book on affine differential geometry [\textit{W. Blaschke}, `Vorlesungen über Differentialgeometrie', Band II: Affine Differentialgeometrie. Berlin: Springer (1923; JFM 49.0499.01)]. Decades later, the problem was made better known by \textit{V. Klee} [Am. Math. Mon. 76, 286-288 (1969)]. Since then it has repeatedly been mentioned in research articles, survey articles, and books. An explicit formula for \(V(n)\) was already published earlier by the present authors [Anz. Österr. Akad. Wiss., Math.-Naturwiss. Kl. 1992, No. 8, 63-68 (1992; Zbl 0774.60016)], announcing that the (rather long) proof will appear later. Further work has led to substantial simplifications.NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThe present paper provides a simplified explicit formula for \(V(n)\), its detailed proof, and comments how one could proceed, in principle, in the case of an arbitrary three-dimensional convex polytope instead of a tetrahedron.