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Questions tagged [computational-geometry]

Using computers to solve geometric problems. Questions with this tag should typically have at least one other tag indicating what sort of geometry is involved, such as ag.algebraic-geometry or mg.metric-geometry.

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15 votes
2 answers
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Given the vertices of a convex polytope, how can we construct its half-space representation?

Let us say I have the vertices of a polytope $V = \{v_1,\dots,v_k\} \subset \mathbb R^n$. Is it possible to write $V$ as intersection of half-spaces using the information from the vertices, i.e., can ...
user27396's user avatar
  • 173
11 votes
3 answers
6k views

Random Sampling a linearly constrained region in n-dimensions...

Hi, So here is my problem: Given a nonlinear, discontinous, cost function $f(x_1,x_2,..,x_N)$ along with linear constraints $x_n \ge 0, \forall n$ $x_n \le c_n$ and $\sum_{n=1}^N x_n = 1$ find an ...
user1's user avatar
  • 113
27 votes
3 answers
4k views

Can squares of side 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, … be packed into three quarters of a unit square?

My question is prompted by this illustration from Eugenia Cheng’s book Beyond Infinity, where it appears in reference to the Basel problem. Is it known whether the infinite set of squares of side $\...
Robin Houston's user avatar
20 votes
2 answers
25k views

Partitioning a polygon into convex parts

I'm looking for an algorithm to partition any simple closed polygon into convex sub-polygons--preferably as few as possible. I know almost nothing about this subject, so I've been searching on Google ...
user14059's user avatar
  • 201
14 votes
2 answers
636 views

Tarski-Seidenberg for strict inequalities and bounded quantification

This theorem says that quantifiers over real variables can be eliminated from classical first order formulae built from equations and inequalities between polynomials with rational coefficients, ie in ...
Paul Taylor's user avatar
  • 8,481
14 votes
2 answers
540 views

Are all well behaved "mean" functions on $\mathbb{R}^+$ equivalent?

Given a set $S$, a function $M: S\times S \rightarrow S$ is a mean if it satisfies the properties: $M(a,a)=a\qquad$ (identity) $M(a,b)=M(b,a)\qquad$ (commutativity). and possibly $M(M(a,b),M(a,c))=...
Yaakov Baruch's user avatar
13 votes
3 answers
1k views

(non-)existence of the aperiodic monotile

The aperiodic monotile problem asks whether there exists a single tile that every tiling of the plane made with it results non-periodic. What is known about this problem? If this tile exists, how can ...
Melquíades Ochoa's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
3k views

Algorithm for embedding a graph with metric constraints

Suppose I have a graph $G$ with vertex set $V$, edge set $E \subseteq {V \choose 2}$, a poistive integer $d$, and a weight function $w:E \to \mathbb{R}^{+}$. Is there a nice algorithmic way to decide ...
Matthew Kahle's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
3k views

Conic hulls and cones

Suppose I have a number of vectors in $\mathbb{R}^n.$ The first question is: what is the most efficient algorithm to compute their "conic hull" (the minimal convex cone which contains them)? The next ...
Igor Rivin's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Given a set of 2D vertices, how to create a minimum-area polygon which contains all the given vertices?

Not sure whether this question belongs here or math.stackexchange. You can assume that all the vertices are unique. The given vertices can be the vertices of the polygon, thus they do NOT have to be ...
fajrian's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
156 views

On folding a polygonal sheet

Consider a polygonal sheet $P$ of area $A$ with $N$ vertices (it material is not stretchable or tearable). Let $n$ be a positive integer >=2. Question: Let $P$ lie on a flat plane. We need to fold ...
Nandakumar R's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
141 views

Optimal intersections between planar convex regions

Here is an earlier discussion that could be related: On comparing planar convex regions of equal perimeter and area We are broadly interested in placing two given planar convex regions so that the ...
Nandakumar R's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
586 views

Inverse Problem for Pullback

Let $M$ and $N$ be smooth manifolds and $T: M \to N$ be a smooth map. Let $ \mathcal{F}(M,\mathbb{R})$ (resp.$ \mathcal{F}(N,\mathbb{R})$) denote the space of smooth functions from $M$ (resp. $N$) ...
compmath's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
124 views

A center of convex planar regions based on chords

This is based on Chapter 6 of 'Convex figures' by Yaglom and Boltyanskii. This post also continues On two centers of convex regions. A point $P$ in the interior of a planar convex region $C$ divides ...
Nandakumar R's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
208 views

On a possible variant of Monsky's theorem

See Wikipedia for Monsky's theorem which states: it is not possible to dissect a square into an odd number of triangles all of equal area. Questions: Are there quadrilaterals that allow partition into ...
Nandakumar R's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
130 views

Computational Geometric Aspects of Greedy Tour Expansion

Has the following problem already been investigated from the Computational Geometry point of view and what are the results regarding worst case complexity? Given a finite set $\mathcal{P}...
Manfred Weis's user avatar
  • 13.2k
1 vote
0 answers
89 views

Bounds for minimax facility location in a convex region

An earlier question: Facility location on manifolds A possibly related earlier post: Cutting convex regions into equal diameter and equal least width pieces - 2 The minimax facility location problem ...
Nandakumar R's user avatar
  • 5,979
32 votes
4 answers
7k views

Computational software in Algebraic Topology?

I was wondering if there is any good software out there that allows you to do specific computations in algebraic topology. For example: Create a simplicial complex/set and ask questions about its ...
Joris Weimar's user avatar
17 votes
2 answers
2k views

Efficiently determine if convex hull contains the unit ball

Given a set of $n$ points in $\mathbb{R}^d$, is there an algorithm to determine if the convex hull contains the unit ball centered at the origin in polynomial time (in both $n$ and $d$)? The convex ...
Simd's user avatar
  • 3,377
16 votes
2 answers
5k views

Weighted area of a Voronoi cell

Let $X = \{ x_1,\dots,x_n\} $ denote a set of $n$ points in the unit square $S = [0,1]\times[0,1]$, and let $w = \{w_1,\dots,w_n\}$ denote a set of weights corresponding to the $n$ points in $X$. ...
Joord Jacobsen's user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
11k views

Covering a polygon with rectangles

I am trying to cover a simple concave polygon with a minimum rectangles. My rectangles can be any length, but they have maximum widths, and the polygon will never have an acute angle. I thought about ...
11 votes
3 answers
960 views

Algorithms in Invariant Theory

Let $V$ be a polynomial representation of the general linear group $\Gamma:=\DeclareMathOperator{\Gl}{Gl}\Gl_n(\newcommand{\C}{\mathbb C}\C)$. In chapter 4.6 of his book "Algorithms in Invariant ...
Garfield's user avatar
  • 262
10 votes
0 answers
441 views

A new $\ell_p$-metric on the hyperspace of finite sets?

Let $(X,d)$ be a metric space and $Fin(X)$ be the family of all non-empty finite subsets of $X$. For every $n\in\mathbb N$ the elements of the power $X^n$ are thought as functions $f:n\to X$ where $n:=...
Taras Banakh's user avatar
  • 41.9k
10 votes
3 answers
756 views

Degree of generators of irreducible components

Let $V$ be a Zariski-closed subset of $\mathbb{A}^n_k$, where $k$ is an algebraically closed field. Assume that $V$ may be defined by polynomials of degree at most $d$ (or to put it otherwise $V$ is ...
Jérôme Poineau's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
565 views

The intersection of two $l_1$ balls

Let $B_1$ and $B_2$ be two balls in $\mathbb{R}^n$ with respect to the $l_1$ norm that have different radii and different centers. Is there an upper bound for the number of vertices that $B_1\cap B_2$...
Jennifer Gao's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
3k views

Computionally efficient vertex enumeration for (convex) polytopes

Let $P \subseteq \mathbb{R}^d$ be an $\mathcal{H}$-polytope. The vertex enumeration problem asks for the set of vertices $V$ of $P$. Theoretically, the vertex enumeration problem for $P$ can be ...
Christopher's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
1k views

Random Voronoi Diagrams

I'm interested in what research has already been done with regards to the statistics of random voronoi diagrams. I have had a look on google scholar and results are a little inconclusive. I'm ...
Pavan Sangha's user avatar
9 votes
5 answers
13k views

Get a point inside a polygon

I have a 2D polygon of arbitrary geometry. I need to find any point that is inside of that polygon. Taking the center won't work, because the polygon might not be convex. Is there a way to quickly ...
user10306's user avatar
  • 201
8 votes
2 answers
339 views

Angle subtended by the shortest segment that bisects the area of a convex polygon

Let $C$ be a convex polygon in the plane and let $s$ be the shortest line segment (I believe this is called a "chord") that divides the area of $C$ in half. What is the smallest angle that $s$ could ...
Tom Solberg's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
10k views

Subtract Rectangle from Polygon

I'm looking for an algorithm that will subtract a rectangle from a simple, concave polygon and return a remainder of polygons. If the rectangle encloses the polygon, the remainder is null. In most ...
Josh C.'s user avatar
  • 325
8 votes
2 answers
752 views

Are point sets of the same order type connected by continuous (order type)-preserving motion?

Given two general position point sets in $\mathbb{R}^2$ of the same size and order type, is it possible to continuously move the points of one set until they coincide with those of the other set in ...
Nima Hoda's user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
706 views

A quick algorithm for calculating the $\ell_1$-distance between two finite sets on the real line?

For two non-empty finite sets $A,B$ in the real line define the $\ell_1$-distance $d_1(A,B)$ between $A$ and $B$ as the smallest Lebesgue measure of a closed subset $\Gamma\subset \mathbb R$ such that ...
Taras Banakh's user avatar
  • 41.9k
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is a given point in the interior of the convex hull of a given finite collection of points?

Suppose I have the convex hull $P$ of a finite collection of points in $\mathbb{R}^d,$ and I want to see whether a point $p$ is contained in $P.$ This is a standard (some would say the standard linear ...
Igor Rivin's user avatar
  • 96.4k
7 votes
1 answer
3k views

Any reference to an algorithm for finding the largest empty circle on a sphere (with great-circle distance)?

Given a set $S$ of 2D points in the plane, there are known algorithms for finding the largest empty circle ($LEC$) of the set of points. The $LEC$ problem is stated in this way: find a $LEC$ whose ...
Alessandro Jacopson's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
219 views

How big a box can you wrap with a given polygon?

Question: Given a convex polygonal region, how does one find the box (rectangular parallelopiped) of maximum volume that can be wrapped with this region? While wrapping, if needed, some portions of ...
Nandakumar R's user avatar
  • 5,979
6 votes
0 answers
157 views

On cutting disks from planar regions

Question: Given a planar region $R$ of unit area and an integer $n$, to cut $n$ circular disks (their sizes need not be equal) such that the highest fraction of $R$ is taken off. A simple greedy ...
Nandakumar R's user avatar
  • 5,979
6 votes
1 answer
761 views

Checking if one polytope is contained in another

I have two sets of inequalities, say, $Ax \leq 0$ and $Bx \leq 0$. I would like to know if they both define the same polytope. Or, even, whether one is contained in the other. At the moment I am ...
bandini's user avatar
  • 491
6 votes
1 answer
374 views

Desargues ten point configuration $D_{10}$ in LaTeX

I want to draw the Desargues configuration $10_3$ in LaTeX using the standard picture environment, which allows only lines with the slopes $n:m$ where $\max\{|n|,|m|\}\le 6$. Is it possible? If not, ...
Taras Banakh's user avatar
  • 41.9k
6 votes
5 answers
4k views

Formulas for equidistant curves

I'm trying to draw on the computer a curve that keeps always the same distance(given as parameter) from a given curve. I know the formula for the given curve. I tried moving perpendicular to the first ...
Iulian Serbanoiu's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
189 views

Finding the point within a convex n-gon that maximizes the least angle subtended there by an edge of the n-gon

For any point P in the interior of a convex polygon, the sum of the angles subtended by the edges of the polygon is obviously 2π. Given a convex polygon, how does one algorithmically find the point (...
Nandakumar R's user avatar
  • 5,979
6 votes
2 answers
215 views

Partition of polygons into 'strongly acute' and 'strongly obtuse' triangles

Definition: Let us refer to obtuse triangles with the largest angle strictly above a given cutoff value as 'strongly obtuse' - the definition is parametrized by the cutoff value. Likewise, strongly ...
Nandakumar R's user avatar
  • 5,979
5 votes
0 answers
309 views

Upper bounds on art gallery problems using independent witnesses

Given a polygon $P$, the art gallery problem looks to find a smallest set of points that sees all of $P$. One way of bounding the number of guards necessary (from below) is to find a largest set of ...
Michael Biro's user avatar
  • 1,182
5 votes
0 answers
213 views

Euclidean Minimum Spanning Trees Restricted to One Vertex Per Grid Cell

Given an $n \times n$ grid with unit grid cells, and one point from the interior of each cell, what is are best possible lower and upper bounds for lengths of minimum spanning trees? The lower bound ...
user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
540 views

How hard is it to determine if a weighted graph can be isometrically embedded in R^3?

Consider a graph $G$ with nonnegative edge weights. Question: In $\mathbb{R}^3$, how hard is it to assign coordinates to vertices such that the Euclidean length of each edge is equal to its weight? ...
TerronaBell's user avatar
  • 3,059
5 votes
2 answers
294 views

Convex caps with prescribed edges

Let $P$ be a convex polygon in the plane $R^2=R^2\times \{0\}$, and $E$ be the edge graph of some subdivision of $P$ into convex polygons, which is $3$-connected. Does there exist a convex polyhedral ...
Mohammad Ghomi's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
169 views

Connectedness of semialgebraic sets via CAD

I do not know whether there is a standard or some traditional ways to decide whether a semialgebraic set is connected or not. One way I know is the cylindrical algebraic decomposition (CAD) algorithm. ...
user91646's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
204 views

Reference: Packing under translation is in NP

I am looking for a reference for a result that I am aware of. Let me describe the result. Given a polygon $C$ and polygons $p_1,\ldots,p_n$, it can be decided in NP time, if $p_1,\ldots,p_n$ can be ...
Till's user avatar
  • 479
4 votes
2 answers
390 views

Construct polygon/polyhedron containing all points not externally visible w.r.t given polygon/polyhedron?

Is there an algorithm to construct a polyhedron containing all points in space for which there exists no ray to infinite not intersecting a given polyhedron? In 2D, we could consider polygons. For ...
Alec Jacobson's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

Breaking a rectangle into smaller rectangles with small diagonals

Say I am given a rectangle with dimensions $a \times b$ and an integer $n$. I'd like to break this rectangle into $n$ smaller rectangles $R_i$, and I'd like to make the maximum diagonal of any of ...
Tom Solberg's user avatar
  • 4,049
4 votes
2 answers
425 views

Algorithm for Reconstructing Point Sites from a Voronoi Diagram

how can one construct a finite set of points in the euclidean plane from its Voronoi Diagram and, what is the complexity of the problem?
Manfred Weis's user avatar
  • 13.2k