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Gruber P. Convex and Discrete Geometry

Gruber P. Convex and Discrete Geometry

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258 <strong>Convex</strong> Polytopes<br />

P in F. For any proper face G of F, which is disjoint from {p}, consider the convex<br />

hulls of p <strong>and</strong> the simplices of the simplification of G. Since p is not in the affine<br />

hull of G, these convex hulls are all simplices. As G ranges over the proper faces of<br />

F which do not contain p, the simplices thus obtained form a simplification of F.<br />

If H is a proper face of F which contains p, then the simplification of F just<br />

constructed, if restricted to H, forms a simplification of H. Being the first vertex of<br />

P in F, the vertex p is also the first vertex of P in H. Hence the earlier simplification<br />

of H coincides with the simplification of H constructed in an earlier step of the<br />

induction.<br />

The simplifications of the faces of P of dimension k thus fit together if such<br />

faces have a face of dimension less than k in common. Hence the simplifications of<br />

the faces of P of dimension k together form a simplification of k-skel P.<br />

The induction <strong>and</strong> thus the proof of (6) is complete. The theorem is the case<br />

k = d of (6). ⊓⊔<br />

Proof (by Mani-Levitska). It is sufficient to prove the Theorem for proper convex<br />

polytopes. The proof is by (a strange) induction where the dimension d is variable.<br />

(7) Let k ∈ N <strong>and</strong> let P be a proper convex polytope in (some) E d such that<br />

k = f0(P) − d. Then P has a simplification.<br />

For k = 1, f0(P) − d = 1, i.e. f0(P) = d + 1. Since P is proper, it is a simplex<br />

<strong>and</strong> (7) holds trivially. Assume now that k > 1 <strong>and</strong> that (7) holds for k−1. We have to<br />

establish it for k.LetP be a proper convex polytope in E d such that f0(P) − d = k.<br />

Then f0(P) = d + k > d + 1. Embed E d into E d+1 as usual (first d coordinates)<br />

<strong>and</strong> let “ ′ ” denote the orthogonal projection of E d+1 onto E d . Choose a proper<br />

convex polytope Q in E d+1 such that Q ′ = P, f0(Q) = f0(P) <strong>and</strong> such that Q has<br />

precisely one vertex above each vertex of P <strong>and</strong> no other vertices. Let L be the lower<br />

side of bd Q with respect to the last coordinate. L is the union of certain faces of Q.<br />

Since f0(Q) − dim Q = f0(P) − (d + 1)

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