Routh's theorem in three dimensions

2010-03-14T16:39:38Z

The most well known case of Routh's triangle theorem is: If the sides BC, CA,and AB are trisected at the points D, E, and F, respectively, then the area of the inside triangle formed by AD, BE, CF is $\dfrac{1}{7}$th of the area of that of the triangle ABC.

Here is my question: can Routh's theorem be generalized to a tetrahedron which is cut by 4 planes through its 4 vertices and cutting the opposite faces appropriately?

As far as I know, this question has never been contemplated in the literature.

Answer by hello for Routh's theorem in three dimensions

2010-03-14T17:56:08Z

Yes, it generalizes.

For any two nondegenerate tetrahedra A and B, you can find an affine transformation such that T(A)=B. Since affine transformations preserve ratios of line segments and areas and volumes, with a Routh's-theorem-type construction the ratio of volume of original tetrahedron to volume of inner polyhedron will be preserved.

As a commenter pointed out, with a tetrahedron there may be more than one way of defining a sensible cut. Once you've defined this, though, you can find a convenient tetrahedron (maybe a regular one, maybe one with a lot of right angles) and use it to calculate the proportion you want.

Routh's theorem in three dimensions - MathOverflow

Routh's theorem in three dimensions

Answer by hello for Routh's theorem in three dimensions