Random Gaussian Tetrahedra

arXiv1005.1033MaRDI QIDQ6504875FDOQ6504875

Abstract: Given independent normally distributed points A,B,C,D in Euclidean 3-space, let Q denote the plane determined by A,B,C and D^ denote the orthogonal projection of D onto Q. The probability that the tetrahedron ABCD is acute remains intractable. We make some small progress in resolving this issue. Let Gamma denote the convex cone in Q containing all linear combinations A+r*(B-A)+s*(C-A) for nonnegative r, s. We compute the probability that D^ falls in (B+C)-Gamma to be 0.681..., but the probability that D^ falls in Gamma to be 0.683.... The intersection of these two cones is a parallelogram in Q twice the area of the triangle ABC. Among other issues, we mention the distribution of random solid angles and sums of these.

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Exact distribution theory in statistics (62E15) Multivariate distribution of statistics (62H10) Geometric probability and stochastic geometry (60D05) Length, area, volume and convex sets (aspects of convex geometry) (52A38) Three-dimensional polytopes (52B10) Length, area and volume in real or complex geometry (51M25) Elementary problems in Euclidean geometries (51M04)

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