Configurations of cycles and the Apollonius problem (Q5948878)

The Apollonius problem of finding a cycle \(C\) (i.e., an oriented circle or plane) tangent to cycles \(C_0,\dots,C_n\) in \(n\)-dimensional Euclidean space is solved by using Lie sphere geometry: If \(\Omega\) is the Lie quadric, \(\perp\) its polarity, and \(\gamma\) the mapping of cycles into \(\Omega\), then \(C\gamma\in C_i\gamma^\perp\) [cf. \textit{H. Behnke} et al., Grundzüge der Mathematik IIB, p.\ 200 (1971; Zbl 0207.00202)]. The authors classify the configuration \(C_0\dots,C_n,C\) by means of the position of the line \(\bigcap C_i\gamma^\perp\) relative to \(\Omega\).