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Converse of Scherk–Segre theorem on the number of vertices of a convex space curve

It is well known that any smooth simple closed convex curve $\gamma$ in $\mathbb{R}^{3}$ that meets no plane in more than 4 points has exactly 4 vertices, i.e., points of vanishing torsion; here "...
Matteo Raffaelli's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
139 views

Characterization of convexity by connectedness of hyperplane sections

Let $S$ be a smooth closed connected embedded hypersurface in $\mathbb R^n$. Is it true that $S$ is convex, i.e. is a boundary of a convex set, if and only if any section of $S$ by a hyperplane is ...
Dmitrii Korshunov's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
52 views

Efficiently determining surface intersections along a line segment

Background In general, I know how to determine the points of intersection between a surface and a line. In my case, I may have a large number of defined surfaces that may (or may not) intersect each ...
Sterling Butters's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
287 views

Does the surface area of the unit Lp ball go to zero for all $p < \infty$?

We know about volume: The $L_{\infty}$ ball of radius one-half, i.e. the hypercube, has volume $1$ in all dimensions. On the other hand, I believe that for every $1 \leq p < \infty$, the volume of ...
usul's user avatar
  • 4,529
6 votes
1 answer
444 views

Can every smooth space curve be realized as an origami curved crease?

Many years ago, Ron Resch told me that he proved that every smooth simple space curve $C$ could be realized as a curved crease $\gamma$ in the interior of a piece of paper. He never published this (as ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
95 views

Pushing figures into holes

Let $\gamma_1,\gamma_2:[0,1]\to \mathbb{R}^2$ - smooth curve, $\gamma_i(0)=\gamma_i(1)$, $X_1$ and $X_2$ are the areas bounded by the corresponding curves. . Suppose we have an $X_1 $-shaped hole, and ...
Ben Tom's user avatar
  • 107
6 votes
1 answer
604 views

When is the cut locus a finite tree?

Let $\Omega \subset \mathbf{R}^2$ be a bounded, simply connected domain, with a regular boundary, say of class $C^2$ at least. Let the cut locus $C$ of $\Omega$ be the set of points $x \in \Omega$ for ...
Leo Moos's user avatar
  • 5,038
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
19 votes
0 answers
841 views

I found a (probably new) family of real analytic closed Bezier-like curves; is it publishable?

Given $n$ distinct points $\mathbf{x} = (\mathbf{x}_1, \ldots, \mathbf{x}_n)$ in the plane $\mathbb{R}^2$, I associate a real analytic map: $f_{\mathbf{x}}: S^1 \to \mathbb{R}^2$ with the following ...
Malkoun's user avatar
  • 5,215
1 vote
1 answer
651 views

When are principal lines of curvature geodesics?

Let $S$ be a smooth surface embedded in $\mathbb{R}^3$. When are (some of) the principal lines of curvature geodesics on $S$? Perhaps on the ellipsoid below, the (blue) central cycle, a max principal ...
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
-2 votes
1 answer
587 views

Is the conjecture true for n-sphere $(n>2)$? [closed]

This is higher dimension conjecture of Problem 3845 in Crux Mathematicorum and Theorem 2 in here: PS: This figure is very nice, this is also generalization of Brianchon’s theorem, The Pascal theorem, ...
Đào Thanh Oai's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
166 views

Pascal theorem for three dimensions

A year ago I found the Pascal theorem for three dimentions as follows: Let $(C_1)$, $(C_2)$ be two conics on the same Ellipsoid, (or Hyperboloid, or Paraboloid). Let $A_1$, $A_2$, $A_3$, $A_4$, $A_5$,...
Đào Thanh Oai's user avatar
31 votes
6 answers
2k views

If a triangle can be displaced without distortion, must the surface have constant curvature?

Suppose $S$ is a Riemannian 2-manifold (e.g. a surface in $\mathbb{R}^3$). Let $T$ be a geodesic triangle on $S$: a triangle whose edges are geodesics. If $T$ can be moved around arbitrarily on $S$ ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
365 views

Sliding through a curvature-bounded tube: Maximum volume?

My 1st question has a straightforward answer but I'd appreciate hints on a proof. My 2nd question is open from my point of view. Q1. Is it the case that the maximum convex volume body inside a ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
139 views

The radius of an interval's image through a space-filling curve

Take $f:[0,1]\to [0,1]^n$ a continuous tour around $[0,1]^n,$ say, some iteration of a Hilbert curve. For $\varepsilon \in (0,1)$ what is the following thing called and are there any nontrivial upper ...
Christian Chapman's user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
102 views

Is there a convex three-dimensional body with constant width and only finitely-many equilibria? Or: do spheroform gömböcök exist?

Mathematical questions. The mathematical (and 'gravity'-free) formulation of the question in the title is given by the following questions: Q1. Does there exist $(a,b)\in\omega^2\setminus\{(0,0)\}$ ...
Peter Heinig's user avatar
  • 6,051
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
1 answer
231 views

Estimate of area of 2-dimensional surface

Let $X$ be a compact smooth 2-dimensional Riemannian manifold with boundary. Assume that the Gauss curvature of $X$ is at least $\kappa$, the diameter is at most $D$, and the second fundamental form ...
asv's user avatar
  • 21.8k
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
5 votes
0 answers
464 views

Examples of spiraling geodesics?

Does there exist a closed, bounded surface $S$ embedded in $\mathbb{R}^3$ that has a geodesic $\gamma$ that spirals around a point $x$, getting closer and closer, but never reaching $x$? Here I ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
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
5 votes
0 answers
391 views

Gage-Grayson-Hamilton curve-shortening flow, at an angle

The Gage-Grayson-Hamilton curve-shortening flows along the normal to the curve:                     &...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
127 views

Behaviour of geodesics on surfaces as one of the two endpoints moves slightly

Let $u$ and $v$ be two points on a surface (I guess, a Riemann surface) $\Sigma$ such that there is a unique geodesic between $u$ and $v$ on $\Sigma$. Now let $l$ be an arbitrary line that passes ...
Hooman's user avatar
  • 415
3 votes
0 answers
310 views

Does a rectangle exist on any Jordan curve?

Let $C$ be a Jordan curve in $\mathbb{R}^2$. Does there exist points $P,Q,R,S$ on $C$ such that quadrangle $PQRS$ is a non-degenerate rectangle?
user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
97 views

A third degree surface and a touching sphere [closed]

Let consider a surface $z=1/(xy)$ and a sphere defined by $(x-1.5)^2+(y-1.5)^2+(z-1.5)^2=3/4$. The sphere touches the surface at (1,1,1). Is it possible to prove that point (1,1,1) is the only ...
Sergei's user avatar
  • 1,550
6 votes
1 answer
184 views

Self-avoiding/reflecting geodesics on a convex surface

Let $S$ be the surface of a convex body embedded in $\mathbb{R}^3$. For me $S$ is a convex polyhedron, but I am happy to view $S$ as a smooth body with positive Gaussian curvature at each point, or ...
Joseph O'Rourke'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
0 votes
2 answers
129 views

Planar curves identical to their inverses

Is the right strophoid the only planar curve $C$ whose inverse curve w.r.t. some circle (in this case: centered on the origin) is identical to $C$?               &...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
109 views

Intersection points of closed curves inscribed in a convex polygon

Suppose that I have two distinct simple closed curves, $C_1$ & $C_2$, and each is inscribed in a convex polygon, D. By inscribed, I mean tangent to each side of D. In particular, I am most ...
Alan Horwitz'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
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
15 votes
0 answers
517 views

Functions approximated by rolling epicycle curves

Imagine a decreasing sequence of (positive) radii $r_1 > r_2 > r_3 > \cdots$ and a series of nested circles $C_1 \supset C_2 \supset C_3 \supset \cdots$ with these radii, initially each ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
3k views

Parametrization of the intersection of an ellipsoid with a sphere

First I would like to say that geometry is far away from my domain. I have encountered a problem that has a geometric formulation and I don't even know if this is a difficult or an easy problem. So ...
The Bridge's user avatar
  • 1,334
-1 votes
1 answer
467 views

Meeting point of the vertices of a square cloth on x-y plane [closed]

Consider a standard square sheet lying on the xy plane with edge length n. Is it possible to determine the coordinates (x, y, z) of the point where the vertices of the sheet will meet, when each of ...
BluePill's user avatar
  • 101
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
5 votes
1 answer
395 views

Average distance to a curve of fixed length

Let $C$ be a continuous curve in the unit square having length $L$. Is there a lower bound on the average distance between the points in the unit square and $C$, as a function of $L$? Is there an ...
John Gunnar Carlsson's user avatar