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Gruber P. Convex and Discrete Geometry

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(7) χ � C(Fi) � = 1fori = 1,...,m,<br />

15 Combinatorial Theory of <strong>Convex</strong> Polytopes 269<br />

settling (i). The assertion for i = 1 in (ii) is a consequence of (i). Assume next that<br />

1 < i < m. Then<br />

(8) χ � C(F1 ∪···∪ Fi) �<br />

= χ � C(F1 ∪···∪ Fi−1) � + χ � C(Fi) � − χ � C((F1 ∪···∪Fi−1) ∩ Fi) �<br />

= χ � C(F1 ∪···∪ Fi−1) � + 1 − χ � C(G1 ∪···∪G j) �<br />

= χ � C(F1 ∪···∪ Fi−1) � + 1 − 1<br />

= χ � C(F1 ∪···∪ Fi−1) � =···=χ � C(F1) � = 1<br />

by the additivity of χ, where j < k, G1,...,Gk is a shelling of Fi <strong>and</strong> we have used<br />

induction on (ii) <strong>and</strong> (7). Assume next that i = m. Then<br />

χ � C(F1 ∪···∪ Fm) �<br />

= χ � C(F1 ∪···∪ Fm−1) � + χ � C(Fm) � − χ � �<br />

C(F1 ∪···∪Fm−1) ∩ Fm<br />

= 1 + 1 − � 1 − (−1) d−1� = 1 + (−1) d<br />

by the additivity of χ, (8), (7), noting that C((F1 ∪···∪Fm−1)∩ Fm) is the boundary<br />

complex of Fm, <strong>and</strong> induction on (ii). The proof of (ii) is complete. To show (iii),<br />

note that C(P) is obtained from C(F1 ∪···∪Fm) by adding P. Hence the definition<br />

of χ shows that<br />

χ � C(P) � = χ � C(F1 ∪···∪Fm) � + (−1) d = 1 − (−1) d + (−1) d = 1.<br />

This settles (iii). The induction <strong>and</strong> thus the proof of (6) is complete. ⊓⊔<br />

Remark. It can be shown that the Euler polytope formula is the only linear relation<br />

which is satisfied by the f -vectors of all d-dimensional convex polytopes.<br />

The Dehn–Sommerville Equations <strong>and</strong> McMullen’s g-Theorem<br />

At present a characterization of all f -vectors of proper convex polytopes, i.e. a<br />

solution of Problem 15.1 for d > 3, seems to be out of reach. But for simplicial<br />

<strong>and</strong> simple convex polytopes this can be done. These are convex polytopes all facets<br />

of which are simplices, resp. convex polytopes, each vertex of which is incident with<br />

precisely d edges. We consider only the simplicial case.<br />

Dehn [251] (d = 5) <strong>and</strong> Sommerville [948] (general d) specified ⌊ d+1<br />

2 ⌋ independent<br />

linear equations, including the Euler polytope formula (1), which are satisfied<br />

by the f -vectors of all proper simplicial convex polytopes. It can be shown that there<br />

is no linear relation independent of the Dehn–Sommerville equations which is satisfied<br />

by the f -vectors of all proper simplicial convex polytopes, see Grünbaum [453],<br />

Sect. 9.2.<br />

McMullen [707] stated in 1970 a characterization of the set of all f -vectors of<br />

proper simplicial convex polytopes in Ed ,theg-conjecture. This conjecture was confirmed<br />

by the efforts of Stanley [951], who used heavy algebraic machinery (necessity<br />

of McMullen’s conditions) <strong>and</strong> Billera <strong>and</strong> Lee [116] (sufficiency). See also<br />

McMullen [715].

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