Radius of the largest ball inside a complex set.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of determining the radius of the largest empty (hyper)sphere that can fit within the complement of a given set in \mathbb{R}^n. Participants explore related notions and seek a more convenient terminology for this quantity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant introduces the idea of defining the "radius of the largest empty (hyper)sphere in the complement of a set" as a mathematical problem, relating it to various real-world scenarios.
  • Another participant questions whether this concept corresponds to the diameter of a set, referencing a generalization of diameter.
  • A different participant clarifies that the supremum of distances between points in a set does not equate to twice the radius of the largest empty ball in the complement, using a filled decagram as an example to illustrate the difference.
  • One participant mentions the term "incircle" or "inscribed circle" in the context of triangles but expresses uncertainty about a general name for the broader problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a specific name for the quantity in question, and there are differing views on the relationship between this quantity and the diameter of a set.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the relationship between the diameter of a set and the radius of the largest empty sphere is dependent on the specific geometry of the set, highlighting the complexity of the problem.

The Bill
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I've been thinking about notions like the following:
"How far can one be from the nearest road while in a particular country."
"What's the 'maximum thickness' of a subset of \mathbb{R}^n?"
"What mountain range has the biggest circular region entirely within it?"

These sorts of questions lead to defining a quantity which is the "radius of the largest empty (hyper)sphere in the complement of a set" and solving it as a largest empty sphere problem.

Is there a more convenient name for this quantity?
 
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Number Nine said:
Do you mean the diameter of a set?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diameter#Generalizations

No.

sup { d(x, y) | x, yA } isn't necessarily going to be the same as twice the radius of the largest empty ball in the complement of A.

For example, consider A as a filled in decagram (10 pointed star.) The diameter will be the same as the diameter of its circumcircle, but the quantity that is twice the radius of the largest empty disc in the complement of A will be a fair bit smaller. Exactly how much smaller depends on which type of decagram it is, but you see the point. The inward pointing wedges of empty space between the points of the star limit the size of disk which can fit fully within the decagram.
 
Incircle or inscribed circle in the special case of a triangle. I don't know if there is a name for the general problem.
 

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