Some results about Minkowski addition and difference (Q4339976)

Let \({\mathcal K}^d\) be the collection of all convex bodies in \(R^d\). Let \(A + B\) be the sum of two convex sets in the sense of Minkowski. Suppose \(K, L\in {\mathcal K}^d\). The set \(L\) is a summand of \(K\) if \(K = L + M\) for some \(M\in {\mathcal K}^d\). Similarly, \(L\) is a difference of \(K\) if \(L = K\sim M\) for some \(M\) where \(A\sim B := \bigcap\{A-b \mid b\in B\}\). The author gives several characterizations and criterions for \(L\) to be a summand (difference) of \(K\). One of his guiding principles is that the set \({\mathcal D}(K_0)\) of all differences (summands) of a fixed convex body \(K_0\) can be seen as a class of special convex sets defining an abstract convexity space. Then the differences (summands) have characterizations which are similar in spirit to some usual characterizations of ordinary convex sets.