Skip to main content
2 of 7
add image
j.c.
  • 13.6k
  • 3
  • 52
  • 90

Here is a bit of Mathematica code that rather supports Joseph's conclusion.

Tet[phi_] := {{Sin[phi], 0, Cos[phi]}, {-Sin[phi], 0, Cos[phi]}, {0, Sin[phi], -Cos[phi]}, {0, -Sin[phi], -Cos[phi]}};

Rect[a_, phi_] := Module[{x, y, u, w}, {x, y, u, w} = Tet[phi]; Polygon[{a x + (1 - a) u, a x + (1 - a) w, a y + (1 - a) w, a y + (1 - a) u}]];

v = Subsets[Range[4], {3}];

Manipulate[ Graphics3D[{Opacity[0.2], Sphere[{0, 0, 0}, 1], Opacity[0.3], GraphicsComplex[Tet[phi], Polygon[v]], Opacity[0.8], Rect[a, phi]}], {phi, 0, Pi/2}, {a, 0, 1}]

Using parameters like a=0.9, phi=1.4 one obtains an elongated rectangle inscribed a flat tetrahedron, close to an equatorial plane. The maximal inscribed ellipse in this rectangle hardly is contained in any triangle that fits in the unit ball.

rectangle in tetrahedron in sphere

Karl Fabian
  • 1.7k
  • 10
  • 15