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26 votes
1 answer
846 views

Disc bounded by a plane curve

Let $\Sigma$ be a sphere topologically embedded into $\mathbb{R}^3$. Is it always possible to find a disc $\Delta\subset\Sigma$ which is bounded by a plane curve? It is easy to find an open disc ...
Anton Petrunin's user avatar
22 votes
4 answers
3k views

What is the analog of the "Fundamental Theorem of Space Curves," for surfaces, and beyond?

The "Fundamental Theorem of Space Curves" (Wikipedia link; MathWorld link) states that there is a unique (up to congruence) curve in space that simultaneously realizes given continuous curvature $\...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
13 votes
0 answers
254 views

Planar arc on a topologically embedded sphere or disk in $\mathbb{R}^3$

An arc is a set homeomorphic to the unit interval $[0,1]$; an arc in $\mathbb{R}^3$ is planar if it is contained in some plane. The following questions are motivated by Anton Petrunin's Disc bounded ...
Wlodek Kuperberg's user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
410 views

Can generalization of a generalization Pascal theorem, Pappus theorem to Higher Dimensions? [closed]

Please see a chain of six circles associated with a conic. This is a generalization of Pascal theorem, Pappus theorem. I reformulate as following: Let $1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6$ be six arbitrary points in a ...
Cố Gắng Lên's user avatar
29 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is every closed curve in 3D a geodesic on a genus-0 surface?

Let $\gamma$ be a smooth, closed, unknotted curve embedded in $\mathbb{R}^3$. Q. Does there always exist a smooth, embedded, genus-zero surface $S \subset \mathbb{R}^3$ such that $\gamma$ is a (...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
162 views

Estimate of number of boundary components of a compact Riemannian 2-surface

Let $X$ be a compact smooth 2-dimensional Riemannian manifold with boundary. Assume that the Gauss curvature of $X$ is at least $-1$ and the diameter is at most $D$. Assume that near the boundary the ...
asv's user avatar
  • 21.8k
7 votes
4 answers
1k views

On discrete version of curve shortening flow

One can define an analogous version of the curve shortening flow for polygons in $\mathbb R^2$, namely defined by the differential equation $\dot{p_i}(t)=\frac{v_i(t)}{|v_i(t)|^2}$, where $p_i$ is the ...
Gerardo Arizmendi's user avatar
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
3 votes
0 answers
146 views

Chord of fixed length traveling around a Jordan curve

Let $C$ be a Jordan curve with nice enough properties whenever necessary (e.g. smooth, or just rectifiable, perhaps). I am interested in knowing how long can a chord be that "traverses" the ...
Paul Cusson's user avatar
  • 1,763