ISSN:
1572-9338
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Mathematics
,
Economics
Notes:
Abstract Supposen points are given in the plane. Their coordinates form a 2n-vectorX. To study the question of finding the shortest Steiner networkS connecting these points, we allowX to vary over a configuration space. In particular, the Steiner ratio conjecture is well suited to this approach and short proofs of the casesn=4, 5 are discussed. The variational approach was used by us to solve other cases of the ratio conjecture (n=6, see [11] and for arbitraryn points lying on a circle). Recently, Du and Hwang have given a beautiful complete solution of the ratio conjecture, also using a configuration space approach but with convexity as the major idea. We have also solved Graham's problem to decide when the Steiner network is the same as the minimal spanning tree, for points on a circle and on any convex polygon, again using the variational method.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02071984
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