English

The algebraic difference of a Cantor set and its complement

Classical Analysis and ODEs 2026-03-23 v2

Abstract

Let C[0,1]\mathcal{C}\subseteq[0,1] be a Cantor set. In the classical C±C\mathcal{C}\pm\mathcal{C} problems, modifying the ``size'' of C\mathcal{C} has a magnified effect on C±C\mathcal{C}\pm\mathcal{C}. However, any gain in C\mathcal{C} necessarily results in a loss in Cc\mathcal{C}^c, and vice versa. This interplay between C\mathcal{C} and its complement Cc\mathcal{C}^c raises interesting questions about the delicate balance between the two, particularly in how it influences the ``size'' of CcC\mathcal{C}^c-\mathcal{C}. One of our main results indicates that the Lebesgue measure of CcC\mathcal{C}^c-\mathcal{C} has a greatest lower bound of 32\frac{3}{2}.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2505.03170,
  title  = {The algebraic difference of a Cantor set and its complement},
  author = {Piotr Nowakowski and Cheng-Han Pan},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2505.03170},
  year   = {2026}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-28T23:22:25.126Z