Algebra versus analysis in the theory of flexible polyhedra

DOI10.1007/S00010-010-0024-3zbMATH Open1220.52005arXiv0902.0186OpenAlexW3098029999MaRDI QIDQ623399FDOQ623399

Authors: Victor Alexandrov 

Publication date: 14 February 2011

Published in: Aequationes Mathematicae (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Two basic theorems of the theory of flexible polyhedra were proven by completely different methods: R. Alexander used analysis, namely, the Stokes theorem, to prove that the total mean curvature remains constant during the flex, while I.Kh. Sabitov used algebra, namely, the theory of resultants, to prove that the oriented volume remains constant during the flex. We show that none of these methods can be used to prove the both theorems. As a by-product, we prove that the total mean curvature of any polyhedron in the Euclidean 3-space is not an algebraic function of its edge lengths.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/0902.0186

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zbMATH Keywords

volumeinfinitesimal bendingtotal mean curvatureflexible polyhedronalgebraic function

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Polyhedra and polytopes; regular figures, division of spaces (51M20) Rigidity and flexibility of structures (aspects of discrete geometry) (52C25)

Cites Work

• The volume as a metric invariant of polyhedra
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• The Bellows conjecture
• Flexible cross-polytopes in the Euclidean 4-space
• Lipschitzian Mappings and Total Mean Curvature of Polyhedral Surfaces. I
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Flexible octahedra in the hyperbolic space
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• The Schläfli formula for polyhedra and piecewise smooth hypersurfaces.

Cited In (5)

• Sufficient conditions for the extendibility of an \(n\)-th order flex of polyhedra
• Necessary conditions for the extendibility of a first-order flex of a polyhedron to its flex
• Elimination of parasitic solutions in the theory of flexible polyhedra
• Equivalent classes of degree sequences for triangulated polyhedra and their convex realization
• Sabitov polynomials for volumes of polyhedra in four dimensions

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