Uneven splitting of ham sandwiches

Abstract: Let m_1,...,m_n be continuous probability measures on R^n and a_1,...,a_n in [0,1]. When does there exist an oriented hyperplane H such that the positive half-space H^+ has m_i(H^+)=a_i for all i in [n]? It is well known that such a hyperplane does not exist in general. The famous ham sandwich theorem states that if a_i=1/2 for all i, then such a hyperplane always exists. In this paper we give sufficient criteria for the existence of H for general a_i in [0,1]. Let f_1,...,f_n:S^{n-1}->R^n denote auxiliary functions with the property that for all i the unique hyperplane H_i with normal v that contains the point f_i(v) has m_i(H_i^+)=a_i. Our main result is that if Im(f_1),...,Im(f_n) are bounded and can be separated by hyperplanes, then there exists a hyperplane H with m_i(H^+)=a_i for all i. This gives rise to several corollaries, for instance if the supports of m_1,...,m_n are bounded and can be separated by hyperplanes, then H exists for any choice of a_1,...,a_n in [0,1]. We also obtain results that can be applied if the supports of m_1,...,m_n overlap.

Review text

From the abstract: Let \(\mu_1,\dots,\mu_n\) be continuous probability measures on \(\mathbb R^n\) and \(\alpha_1,\dots,\alpha_n \in [0,1]\). When does there exist an oriented hyperplane \(H\) such that the positive half-space \(H^+\) has \(\mu_i (H^+)=\alpha_i\) for all \(i\in[n]\)? It is well known that such a hyperplane does not exist in general. The famous Ham Sandwich Theorem states that if \(\alpha_i=\frac{1}{2}\) for all \(i\), then such a hyperplane always exists. In this paper, the author gives sufficient criteria for the existence of \(H\) for general \(\alpha_i \in [0,1]\). Let \(f_1,\dots,f_n :S^{n-1}\to \mathbb R^n\) denote auxiliary functions with the property that for all \(i\), the unique hyperplane \(H_i\) with normal \(v\) that contains the point \(f _i(v)\) has \(\mu_i (H_i^+)=\alpha_i\). His main result is that if \(\text{Im } f_1,\dots,\text{Im } f_n\) are bounded and can be separated by hyperplanes, then there exists a hyperplane \(H\) with \(\mu_i (H^+)=\alpha_i\) for all \(i\). This gives rise to several corollaries; for instance, if the supports of \(\mu_1,\dots,\mu_n\) are bounded and can be separated by hyperplanes, then \(H\) exists for any choice of \(\alpha_1,\dots,\alpha_n \in[0,1]\). He also obtains results that can be applied if the supports of \(\mu_1,\dots,\mu_n\) overlap.

Recommendations

Cites work

Cited in

(13)

This page was built for publication: Uneven splitting of ham sandwiches

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q972599)