Why is Helfenstein's claim about equichordal points false?

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2 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article explains why a paper by Heinz G. Helfenstein entitled Ovals with equichordal points, J. London Math. Soc. 31 (1956), 54-57, is incorrect. We point out a computational error which renders his conclusions invalid. More importantly, we explain that the method presented there cannot be used to solve the equichordal point problem. Today, there is a solution to the problem: Marek R. Rychlik, A complete solution to the equichordal point problem of Fujiwara, Blaschke, Rothe and Weizenböck, Inventiones Mathematicae 129 (1997), 141-212. However, some mathematicians still point to Helfenstein's paper as a plausible path to a simpler solution. We show that Helfenstein's method cannot be salvaged. The fact that Helfenstein's argument is not correct was known to Wirsing, but he did not explicitly point out the error. This article points out the error and the reasons for the failure of Helfenstein's approach in an accessible, and hopefully enjoyable way.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)499-521
Number of pages23
JournalNew York Journal of Mathematics
Volume18
StatePublished - Jun 28 2012

Keywords

  • Convex geometry
  • Equichordal point problem

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Mathematics

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