English

Inflection points and double tangents on anti-convex curves in the real projective plane

Differential Geometry 2007-05-23 v1

Abstract

A simple closed curve γ\gamma in the real projective plane P2P^2 is called anti-convex if for each point pp on the curve, there exists a line which is transversal to the curve and meets the curve only at pp. We shall prove the relation i(γ)2δ(γ)=3i(\gamma)-2\delta(\gamma)=3 for anti-convex curves, where i(γ)i(\gamma) is the number of independent (true) inflection points and δ(γ)\delta(\gamma) the number of independent double tangents. This formula is a refinement of the classical M\"obius theorem. We shall also show that there are three inflection points on a given anti-convex curve such that the tangent lines at these three inflection points cross the curve only once. Our approach is axiomatic and can be applied in other situations. For example, we prove similar results for curves of constant width as a corollary.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.math/0607225,
  title  = {Inflection points and double tangents on anti-convex curves in the real projective plane},
  author = {Gudlaugur Thorbergsson and Masaaki Umehara},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:math/0607225},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

28pages, 20 figures