The sharp constant in the ring lemma
Given a circle \(K_0\) with radius \(r_0\) and \(n\) circles \(K_j\) with radii \(r_j\) tangent to \(K_0\) from the exterior such that \(K_j\) and \(K_{j+1}\) are also tangent for \(1\leq j\leq n\), \(K_{n+ 1}= K_1\). In the circle packing method of Rodin and Sullivan it is used that \(\min r_j\geq s_n\), where \(s_n\) is an absolute constant \(>0\) independent of the configuration of the circles. \textit{L. J. Hansen} [Complex Variables, Theory Appl. 10, 23-30 (1988; Zbl 0617.30006)] has given a nonlinear recurrence relation for \(s_n\) \((n= 3,4,\dots)\). In the present paper, it is proved that \((s_{n+ 2})^{-1}+ (s_n)^{-1}= 3(s_{n+ 1})^{-1}+ 1\) \((n= 3,4,5,\dots)\), and an explicit formula for \((s_n)^{-1}\) follows. Use is made of the classical Descartes circle theorem involving the reciprocals of the radi of four mutually tangent circles.
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