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Gruber P. Convex and Discrete Geometry

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8 The Brunn–Minkowski Inequality 141<br />

χ(bd C)A(bd C) + 2<br />

P(C)P(D) + A(bd C)χ(bd D)<br />

π<br />

≥ 2 χ(C)A(D) + 4<br />

P(C)P(D) + 2A(C)χ(D).<br />

π<br />

Since C, D ∈ C,wehaveχ(C) = χ(D) = 1 <strong>and</strong> A(bd C) = A(bd D) = 0. Hence<br />

2π(A(C) + A(D)) − P(C)P(D) ≤ 0.<br />

Thus, if 2π(A(C) + A(D)) − P(C)P(D) >0, one of C, D contains a congruent<br />

copy of the other disc in its interior. This proves the theorem for convex polygons.<br />

Assume, second, that C, D are proper convex discs such that<br />

2π � A(C) + (A(D) � − P(C)P(D) >0, A(C) �= A(D),<br />

say A(C) >A(D). Choose convex polygons Q ⊆ C, R ⊇ D such that<br />

2π � A(Q) + A(R) � − P(Q)P(R) >0, A(Q) >A(R).<br />

By the first part of the proof a suitable congruent copy of R is then contained in int Q.<br />

Thus, a fortiori, a suitable congruent copy of D is contained in int C, concluding the<br />

proof of the theorem. ⊓⊔<br />

Remark. It is an open question to extend Hadwiger’s containment theorem to higher<br />

dimensions in a simple way. For ideas in this direction due to Zhou <strong>and</strong> Zhang, see<br />

the references in Klain <strong>and</strong> Rota [587].<br />

8 The Brunn–Minkowski Inequality<br />

In the Brunn–Minkowski inequality, the volume<br />

V (C + D)<br />

of the Minkowski sum C + D ={x + y : x ∈ C, y ∈ D}, of two convex bodies C, D,<br />

is estimated in terms of the volumes of C <strong>and</strong> D. Around the classical inequality, a<br />

rich theory with numerous applications developed over the course of the twentieth<br />

century.<br />

In this section we first present different versions of the Brunn–Minkowski<br />

inequality, among them extensions to non-convex sets <strong>and</strong> integrals. Then, applications<br />

of the Brunn–Minkowski inequality to the classical isoperimetric inequality,<br />

s<strong>and</strong> piles, capillary surfaces, <strong>and</strong> Wulff’s theorem from crystallography are given.<br />

Finally, we show that general Brunn–Minkowski or isoperimetric type inequalities<br />

lead to the concentration of measure phenomenon.<br />

For references <strong>and</strong> related material, see Leichtweiss [640], Schneider [907], Ball<br />

[53] <strong>and</strong>, in particular, the comprehensive survey of Gardner [360] <strong>and</strong> the report of<br />

Barthe [77].

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