Ein Schliessungssatz der Elementargeometrie. (A closure theorem in elementary geometry) (Q919614)

In this delightful note the author applies methods from difference geometry to mediate between discrete and differential geometry. Given two lines \(\ell_ 0\), \(\ell_ 1\) that intersect at an angle \(\alpha\). An inchworm moves repeatedly back and forth between the two lines in steps of equal length. Theorem: The resulting (polygonal) path closes if and only if \(\alpha\) is commensurable with \(\pi\). If, after the first step, the rest of the polygonal path is reflected in \(\ell_ 1\), it will be alternating between \(\ell_ 1\) and \(\ell_ 2\), the reflection of \(\ell_ 0\) in \(\ell_ 1\). If, after the reflected second step the rest of the path is reflected in \(\ell_ 2\), and a similar reflection is performed after each further step, then the modified path moves from \(\ell_ 0\) to \(\ell_ 1\), to \(\ell_ 2\), to \(\ell_ 3\) etc. where the angle between two consecutive lines is always \(\alpha\). Each step differs in direction from the previous one by \(2\alpha\), so the whole modified path proceeds along a circle and is closed just if \(\alpha\) and \(\pi\) are commensurable. Interpreting the lines \(\ell_ 0,\ell_ 1,\ell_ 2,..\). as level lines on a helicoid, we see that such a surface contains not only the obvious coaxial helices, but also helices whose axes are merely parallel but not identical to the axis of the helicoid.