Horst Martini - Böcker

This work focuses on three disciplines of applied mathematics: control theory, location science and computational geometry. The author shows how methods and tools from convex geometry in a wider sense can help solve various problems from these disciplines. More precisely they consider mainly the tent method (as an application of a generalized separation theory of convex cones) in nonclassical variational calculus, various median problems in Euclidean and other Minkowski spaces (including a detailed discussion of the Fermat-Torricelli problem) and different types of partitionings of topologically complicated polygonal domains into a minimum number of convex pieces. Figures are used extensively throughout and there is also a large collection of exercises.

VII Preface In many fields of mathematics, geometry has established itself as a fruitful method and common language for describing basic phenomena and problems as well as suggesting ways of solutions.

This is the first comprehensive monograph to thoroughly investigate constant width bodies, which is a classic area of interest within convex geometry. It examines bodies of constant width from several points of view, and, in doing so, shows surprising connections between various areas of mathematics. Concise explanations and detailed proofs demonstrate the many interesting properties and applications of these bodies. Numerous instructive diagrams are provided throughout to illustrate these concepts.An introduction to convexity theory is first provided, and the basic properties of constant width bodies are then presented. The book then delves into a number of related topics, which include Constant width bodies in convexity (sections and projections, complete and reduced sets, mixed volumes, and further partial fields)Sets of constant width in non-Euclidean geometries (in real Banach spaces, and in hyperbolic, spherical, and further non-Euclidean spaces)The concept of constant width in analysis (using Fourier series, spherical integration, and other related methods)Sets of constant width in differential geometry (using systems of lines and discussing notions like curvature, evolutes, etc.)Bodies of constant width in topology (hyperspaces, transnormal manifolds, fiber bundles, and related topics)The notion of constant width in discrete geometry (referring to geometric inequalities, packings and coverings, etc.)Technical applications, such as film projectors, the square-hole drill, and rotary enginesBodies of Constant Width: An Introduction to Convex Geometry with Applications will be a valuable resource for graduate and advanced undergraduate students studying convex geometry and related fields. Additionally, it will appeal to any mathematicians with a general interest in geometry.

This text gives a comprehensive introduction to the “common core” of convex geometry. It is also appropriate for survey type courses in Banach space theory, convex analysis, differential geometry, and applications of measure theory.

This text gives a comprehensive introduction to the “common core” of convex geometry. Basic concepts and tools which are present in all branches of that field are presented with a highly didactic approach. Mainly directed to graduate and advanced undergraduates, the book is self-contained in such a way that it can be read by anyone who has standard undergraduate knowledge of analysis and of linear algebra. Additionally, it can be used as a single reference for a complete introduction to convex geometry, and the content coverage is sufficiently broad that the reader may gain a glimpse of the entire breadth of the field and various subfields. The book is suitable as a primary text for courses in convex geometry and also in discrete geometry (including polytopes). It is also appropriate for survey type courses in Banach space theory, convex analysis, differential geometry, and applications of measure theory. Solutions to all exercises are available to instructors who adopt the text for coursework.Most chapters use the same structure with the first part presenting theory and the next containing a healthy range of exercises. Some of the exercises may even be considered as short introductions to ideas which are not covered in the theory portion. Each chapter has a notes section offering a rich narrative to accompany the theory, illuminating the development of ideas, and providing overviews to the literature concerning the covered  topics. In most cases, these notes bring the reader to the research front. The text includes many figures that illustrate concepts and some parts of the proofs, enabling the reader to have a better understanding of the geometric meaning of the ideas. An appendix containing basic (and geometric) measure theory collects useful information for convex geometers.

The book then proceeds to explore orthogonal-cycle representation of quadrangulations, giving detailed discussions of the Brightwell-Scheinerman theorem (an extension of the Koebe-Andreev-Thurston theorem), Newton’s 13-balls-problem, Casey’s theorem (an extension of Ptolemy’s theorem) and its generalizations.

This textbook focuses on the geometry of circles, spheres, and spherical geometry. Various classic themes are used as introductory and motivating topics.The book begins very simply for the reader in the first chapter discussing the notions of inversion and stereographic projection. Here, various classical topics and theorems such as Steiner cycles, inversion, Soddy's hexlet, stereographic projection and Poncelet's porism are discussed. The book then delves into Bend formulas and the relation of radii of circles, focusing on Steiner circles, mutually tangent four circles in the plane and other related notions. Next, some fundamental concepts of graph theory are explained. The book then proceeds to explore orthogonal-cycle representation of quadrangulations, giving detailed discussions of the Brightwell-Scheinerman theorem (an extension of the Koebe-Andreev-Thurston theorem), Newton’s 13-balls-problem, Casey’s theorem (an extension of Ptolemy’s theorem) and its generalizations. The remainder of the book is devoted to spherical geometry including a chapter focusing on geometric probability on the sphere.The book also contains new results of the authors and insightful notes on the existing literature, bringing the reader closer to the research front. Each chapter concludes with related exercises of varying levels of difficulty. Solutions to selected exercises are provided. This book is suitable to be used as textbook for a geometry course or alternatively as basis for a seminar for both advanced undergraduate and graduate students alike.

This book provides the solutions to all 347 exercises contained in the text Convexity from the Geometric Point of View, published in the same Cornerstones series. All these exercises are restated and numbered analogously to those in the original text. The corresponding solutions follow each exercise.   Besides the discussion of all solutions, some additional facts about the main text are sprinkled throughout. Sections of further reading are posted to the ends of each chapter supplying the reader with background literature to selected notions and tools that play a role in the exercises and/or solutions to the chapter.The original text gives a comprehensive introduction to the “common core” of convex geometry and is suitable as a primary text for courses in convex geometry and in discrete geometry (including polytopes). Additionally, it can be used as a single reference for a complete introduction to convex geometry. The content coverage is sufficiently broad that the reader may gain a glimpse of the entire breadth of the field, various subfields, and interesting connections to neighboring disciplines. Mainly directed to graduate and advanced undergraduates, the original text is self-contained in such a way that it can be read by anyone who has standard undergraduate knowledge of analysis and of linear algebra. The same is true for this book of solutions.

This textbook provides a comprehensive and rigorous treatment of the mathematical theory underlying rigidity and the flexibility of frameworks. Integrating classical geometry, modern rigidity theory, and topological methods, the authors develop a unified perspective on how geometric constraints determine the possible motions and configurations of planar and spatial structures.The book begins by discussing the foundations of rigid motions, infinitesimal rotations, and vector fields, establishing the analytical and algebraic tools required for later chapters. The book then advances to a systematic study of unit-bar frameworks, infinitesimal rigidity, the rigidity matrix, rigidity of graphs and the rigidity and flexibility of a polyhedral surface. Each chapter is accompanied by exercises, with complete solutions provided in the final chapter.Throughout the book, the authors incorporate historical context, classical theorems, and modern applications in robotics and computational geometry. This book is suitable as a graduate‑level textbook for a course on the geometry of frameworks or as a reference for researchers in geometry, combinatorics, and related applied fields.