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Mohammad Ghomi
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Covering the sphere $\mathbf{S}^{n-1}$ with $2n$ equal disks

Suppose that we have $2n$ points $v_i$ in $\mathbf{R}^n$, with equal distance $|v_i|$ from the origin. Suppose that the convex hull of these points contains the unit ball. Is it known that $|v_i|\geq\sqrt{n}$?

The problem may also be phrased in terms of the smallest radius for $2n$ spherical disks of the same size to cover the unit sphere $\mathbf{S}^{n-1}$. So I imagine that either the answer is known, or else this is a well-known problem in sphere packing. References would be appreciated.

Mohammad Ghomi
  • 7.1k
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