MHB What is the relationship between Gaussian curvature and volume forms?

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    2015
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The discussion focuses on a mathematical problem involving the relationship between Gaussian curvature and volume forms on a surface embedded in R^3. It presents a limit definition of Gaussian curvature, relating it to the volumes of neighborhoods in the surface and the unit sphere. The Gauss map is utilized to connect the surface's geometry with spherical geometry. Despite the complexity of the problem, no responses were provided, indicating a lack of engagement or understanding among participants. The problem remains unsolved within the thread.
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Here's this week's problem!

_______________

Problem. Let $X$ be a surface imbedded in $\Bbb R^3$. Show that if $K$ is the Gaussian curvature of $X$, then $$K(x) = \lim_{V\downarrow x} \frac{\text{vol}_{\Bbb S^2}(N(V))}{\text{vol}_X(V)}$$ where $N : X\to \Bbb S^2$ is the Gauss map, $\text{vol}_X$ and $\text{vol}_{\Bbb S^2}$ are volume forms on $X$ and $\Bbb S^2$, respectively, and the limit is taken over all neighborhoods $V$ of $x$ decreasing to $x$.

_______________Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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No one answered this week's problem. You can find my solution below.

If $r(u,v)$ is a parametrization of $X$, then $dN(r_u) = N_u$ and $dN(r_v) = N_v$. Thus

$$\|dN(r_u) \times dN(r_v)\| = |\operatorname{det}(dN)| \|N_u \times N_v\| = K\|N_u \times N_v\|.$$

Since $dN(r_u) \times dN(r_v) = K(N_u \times N_v)$, we have $N^*(\sigma_{\Bbb S^2}) = K\operatorname{vol}_X$. Therefore,

$$\operatorname{Area}(N(V)) = \iint_{N(V)} \sigma_{\Bbb S^2} = \iint_V N^*(\sigma_{\Bbb S^2}) = \iint_V K\operatorname{vol}_X.$$ Therefore

$$K(x) = \lim_{V\downarrow x} \frac{\operatorname{Area}(N(V))}{\operatorname{vol}_X(V)}.$$
 

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