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Article

A Note on the Minimum Size of a Point Set Containing Three Nonintersecting Empty Convex Polygons

1
Faculty of Accounting, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China
2
College of Computer Science and Engineering, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China
3
College of Economics and Management, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Symmetry 2018, 10(10), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym10100447
Submission received: 6 September 2018 / Revised: 23 September 2018 / Accepted: 26 September 2018 / Published: 29 September 2018
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Discrete Mathematics and Symmetry)

Abstract

:
Let P be a planar point set with no three points collinear, k points of P be a k-hole of P if the k points are the vertices of a convex polygon without points of P. This article proves 13 is the smallest integer such that any planar points set containing at least 13 points with no three points collinear, contains a 3-hole, a 4-hole and a 5-hole which are pairwise disjoint.

1. Introduction

In this paper, we deal with the finite planar point set P in general position, that is to say, no three points in P are collinear. In 1935, Erdős and Szekeres [1], posed a famous combinational geometry question: Whether for every positive integer m 3 , there exists a smallest integer E S ( m ) , such that any set of n points ( n E S ( m ) ), contains a subset of m points which are the vertices of a convex polygon. It is a long standing open problem to evaluate the exact value of E S ( m ) . Erdős and Szekeres [2] showed that E S ( m ) 2 m 2 + 1 , which is also conjectured to be sharp. We have known that E S ( 4 ) = 5 and E S ( 5 ) = 9 . Then by using computer, Szekeres and Peters [3] proved that E S ( 6 ) = 17 . The value of E S ( m ) for all m > 6 is unknown.
For a planar point set P, let k points of P be a k-hole of P if the k points are the vertices of a convex polygon whose interior contains no points of P. Erdős posed another famous question in 1978. He asked whether for every positive integer k, there exists a smallest integer H ( k ) , such that any set of at least H ( k ) points in the plane, contains a k- h o l e . It is obvious that H ( 3 ) = 3 . Esther Klein showed H ( 4 ) = 5 . Harborth [4] determined H ( 5 ) = 10 , and also gave the configuration of nine points with no empty convex pentagons. Horton [5] showed that it was possible to construct arbitrarily large set of points without a 7-hole, That is to say H ( k ) does not exist for k 7 . The existence of H ( 6 ) had been proved by Gerken [6] and Nicolás [7], independently. In [8], Urabe first studied the disjoint holes problems when hewas considering the question about partitioning of planar point sets. Let C h ( P ) stand for the c o n v e x h u l l of a point set P. A family of holes { H i } i I is called pairwise disjoint if C h ( H i ) C h ( H j ) = , i j ; i I , j I . These holes are disjoint with each other. Determine the smallest integer n ( k 1 , , k l ) , k 1 k 2 k l , such that any set of at least n ( k 1 , , k l ) points of the plane, contains a k i - h o l e for every i, 1 i l , where the holes are disjoint. From [9], we know n ( 2 , 4 ) = 6 , n ( 3 , 3 ) = 6 . Urabe [8] showed that n ( 3 , 4 ) = 7 , while Hosono and Urabe [10] showed that n ( 4 , 4 ) = 9 . In [11], Hosono and Urabe also gave n ( 3 , 5 ) = 10 , 12 n ( 4 , 5 ) 14 and 16 n ( 5 , 5 ) 20 . The result n ( 3 , 4 ) = 7 and n ( 4 , 5 ) 14 were re-authentication by Wu and Ding [12]. Hosono and Urabe [9] proved n ( 4 , 5 ) 13 . n ( 4 , 5 ) = 12 by Bhattacharya and Das was published in [13], who also discussed the convex polygons and pseudo-triangles [14]. Hosono and Urabe also changed the lower bound on H ( 5 , 5 ) to 17 [9], and Bhattacharya and Das showed the upper bound on n ( 5 , 5 ) to 19 [15]. Recently, more detailed discussions about two holes are published in [16]. Hosono and Urabe in [9] showed n ( 2 , 3 , 4 ) = 9 , n ( 2 , 3 , 5 ) = 11 , n ( 4 , 4 , 4 ) = 16 . We showed n ( 3 , 3 , 5 ) = 12 in [17]. We have proved that n ( 3 , 3 , 5 ) = 12 [17], n ( 4 , 4 , 5 ) 16 [18] and also discuss a disjoint holes problem in preference [19]. In this paper, we will continue discussing this problem and prove that n ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) = 13 .

2. Definitions

The v e r t i c e s are on convex hull of the given points, from the remaining i n t e r i o r p o i n t s . Let V ( P ) denote a set of the vertices and I ( P ) be a set of the interior points of P. | P | stands for the number of points contained in P. Let p 1 , p 2 , , p k be k points of P, we know that p 1 , p 2 , , p k be a k-hole H when the k points are the vertices of a convex polygon whose interior does not contain any point of P. And we simply say H = ( p 1 p 2 p k ) k . As in [9], let l ( a , b ) be the line passing points a and b. Determine the closed half-plane with l ( a , b ) , who contains c or does not contain c by H ( c ; a b ) or H ( c ¯ ; a b ) , respectively. R is a region in the plane. An interior point of R is an element of a given point set P in its interior, and we say R is empty when R contains no interior points, and simply R = . The interior region of the angular domain determined by the points a, b and c is a convex cone. It is denoted by γ ( a ; b , c ) . a is the apex. b and c are on the boundary of the angular domain. If γ ( a ; b , c ) is not empty, we define an interior point of γ ( a ; b , c ) be attack point α ( a ; b , c ) , such that γ ( a ; b , α ( a ; b , c ) ) is empty, as shown in Figure 1.
For β = b or β = c of γ ( a ; b , c ) , let β be a point such that a is on the line segment β β ¯ . γ ( a ; b , c ) means that a lies on the segment b b ¯ . Let v 1 , v 2 , v 3 , v 4 P and ( v 1 v 2 v 3 v 4 ) 4 be a 4-hole, as shown in Figure 2. We name l ( v 3 , v 4 ) a separating line, denoted by S L ( v 3 , v 4 ) or S L 4 for simple, when all of the remaining points of P locate in H ( v 1 ¯ ; v 3 v 4 ) .
We identify indices modulo t, when indexing a set of t points.

3. Main Result and Proof

Theorem 1.
[9] For any planar point set with at least 13 points in general position, if there exists a separating line S L 4 , which separates a 4-hole from all of the remaining points, we always can find a 3-hole, a 4-hole and a 5-hole which are pairwise disjoint.
From [20], we know that 13 n ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) 14 . In this note we will give the exact value of n ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) , that is the following theorem.
Theorem 2.
n ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) = 13 , that is to say, 13 is the smallest integer such that any planar point set with at least 13 points in general position, we always can find a 3-hole, a 4-hole and a 5-hole which are pairwise disjoint.
Proof. 
Let P be a 13 points set. C H ( P ) = { v 1 , v 2 , , v l } . If we can find a 5-hole and a disjoint convex region with at least 7 points remained, we are done by n ( 3 , 4 ) = 7 [8]. That is to say, if we find a straight line which separates a 5-hole from at least 7 points remained, the result is correct. We call such a line a cutting line through two points u and v in P, denoted by L 5 ( u , v ) . If we can find a 4-hole and the vertices number of the remaining points is more than 4, we are done by Theorem 1, where the two parts are disjoint. That is to say, if we can find such a cutting line through two points m and n in P, denoted by L 4 ( m , n ) , our conclusion is correct. Therefore, in the following proof, if we can find a cutting line L 5 ( u , v ) or L 4 ( m , n ) , our conclusion must be true.
In the following, we will assume there does not exist a separating line S L 4 . Then there must exist a point p i , such that γ ( p i ; v i , v i 1 ) and γ ( p i ; v i 1 , v i ) are empty, as shown in Figure 3. Considering the 13 points, it is easy to know the conclusion is obvious right when | V ( P ) | 7 . Next, we discuss the considerations that 3 | V ( P ) | 6 .
Case 1 | V ( P ) | = 6 .
Let v i V ( P ) for i = 1 , 2 , 6 . As shown in Figure 4, we have the points p i for i = 1 , 2 , 6 , such that the shaded region is empty and we have 1 point p 7 remained.
As the isomorphism of geometry from Figure 4, we only discuss one case. And the rest could be obtained in the same way.
Assume γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , v 3 ) γ ( v 3 ; v 1 , p 2 ) = . We have a cutting line L 5 ( v 1 , α ( v 1 ; v 3 , v 6 ) ) .
Assume γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , v 3 ) γ ( v 3 ; v 1 , p 2 ) . We have a cutting line L 5 ( v 1 , p 4 ) .
Case 2 | V ( P ) | = 5 .
Let v i V ( P ) for i = 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 . We have 5 friend points p i for i = 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 as shown in Figure 5. Then we have 3 points r 1 , r 2 , r 3 remained.
Assume γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , p 3 ) γ ( p 2 ; v 3 , v 2 ) = . We have a cutting line L 5 ( p 1 , α ( p 1 ; p 3 , v 2 ) ) .
Assume γ ( p 3 ; v 3 , p 5 ) γ ( p 4 ; v 4 , v 5 ) = . We have a cutting line L 5 ( p 3 , α ( p 3 ; p 5 , p 1 ) ) .
Assume γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , p 3 ) γ ( p 2 ; v 3 , v 2 ) and γ ( p 3 ; v 3 , p 5 ) γ ( p 4 ; v 4 , v 5 ) . Suppose γ ( p 1 ; v 2 , p 3 ) γ ( p 5 ; v 5 , p 3 ) = . If γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , p 3 ) γ ( p 2 ; v 3 , v 2 ) has two of the remaining points say r 1 , r 2 , r 3 γ ( p 5 ; p 3 , v 5 ) , let r 1 = α ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 4 ) : and if r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 3 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 1 , p 3 ) ; and if r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 3 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( p 1 r 1 r 2 p 3 v 1 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points; and if r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( p 1 , r 1 ) . If γ ( p 5 ; p 3 , v 5 ) γ ( v 4 ; p 3 , p 4 ) has two of the remaining points, symmetrically, the conclusion is also right. Suppose γ ( p 1 ; v 2 , p 3 ) γ ( p 5 ; v 5 , p 3 ) . We may suppose r 1 γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , p 3 ) γ ( p 2 ; v 3 , v 2 ) , r 2 γ ( p 1 ; v 2 , p 3 ) γ ( p 5 ; v 5 , p 3 ) , r 3 γ ( p 3 ; v 4 , p 5 ) γ ( p 4 ; v 4 , v 5 ) . If γ ( r 2 ; p 1 , p 3 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( p 1 r 1 p 3 r 2 v 1 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If γ ( r 2 ; p 3 , p 1 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( r 2 p 1 r 1 p 3 α ( r 2 ; p 3 , p 1 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If γ ( r 2 ; p 1 , p 3 ) = and γ ( r 2 ; p 3 , p 1 ) = , we have ( v 4 v 5 p 4 ) 3 , ( r 3 p 5 v 1 r 2 p 3 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
Case 3 | V ( P ) | = 4 .
Let v i V ( P ) for i = 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 . We have 4 friend points p i for i = 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 . Then we have 5 points r 1 , r 2 , r 3 , r 4 , r 5 remained as shown in Figure 6.
If γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , v 2 ) H ( p 1 ; p 2 p 4 ) = or γ ( p 3 ; v 3 , v 4 ) H ( p 3 ; p 2 p 4 ) = , we have a cutting line L 5 ( p 4 , α ( p 4 ; p 2 , v 1 ) ) or L 5 ( p 4 , α ( p 4 ; p 2 , v 4 ) ) . Then we will consider that γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , v 2 ) H ( p 1 ; p 2 p 4 ) and γ ( p 3 ; v 3 , v 4 ) H ( p 3 ; p 2 p 4 ) .
Assume one of the five points say r 1 γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , v 2 ) H ( p 1 ; p 2 p 4 ) and the remaining four say r i γ ( p 3 ; v 3 , v 4 ) H ( p 3 ; p 2 p 4 ) , i = 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 . (If γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , v 2 ) H ( p 1 ; p 2 p 4 ) has four points and γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , v 2 ) H ( p 1 ; p 2 p 4 ) has one point, symmetrically, the conclusion is also right). Let r 2 = α ( p 4 ; p 2 , v 1 ) .
Suppose r 1 γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , p 2 ) or r 1 γ ( p 1 ; v 2 , p 4 ) . We always have a cutting line L 5 ( p 2 , p 4 ) . Suppose r 1 γ ( p 1 ; p 4 , r 2 ) H ( p 1 ; p 2 p 4 ) ) . We have ( v 1 v 4 p 4 ) 3 , ( p 1 v 2 p 2 r 2 r 1 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. Suppose r 1 γ ( p 1 ; p 2 , r 2 ) H ( p 1 ; p 2 p 4 ) . We have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( p 1 v 1 p 4 r 2 r 1 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
Assume two of the five points, say r 1 , r 2 γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , v 2 ) H ( p 1 ; p 2 p 4 ) and the remaining three say r i γ ( p 3 ; v 3 , v 4 ) H ( p 3 ; p 2 p 4 ) , i = 3 , 4 , 5 . (If γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , v 2 ) H ( p 1 ; p 2 p 4 ) has three points and γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , v 2 ) H ( p 1 ; p 2 p 4 ) has two points, symmetrically, our conclusion is also right.)
Suppose γ ( p 2 ; v 1 , p 4 ) = . If γ ( p 2 ; v 1 , p 1 ) , let r 1 = α ( p 2 ; v 1 , p 1 ) , we have ( r 2 p 1 v 2 ) 3 , ( p 4 v 1 r 1 p 2 α ( p 2 ; p 4 , v 2 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If γ ( p 2 ; v 1 , p 1 ) = , we have ( r 1 r 2 v 2 ) 3 , ( p 4 v 1 p 1 p 2 α ( p 2 ; p 4 , v 2 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. Suppose γ ( p 2 ; v 1 , p 4 ) . Let r 1 = α ( p 2 ; p 4 , v 1 ) . If r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) , we have ( v 1 v 4 p 4 ) 3 , ( r 1 r 2 p 1 v 2 p 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 4 ) , we have ( v 2 p 2 v 3 ) 3 , ( v 1 p 1 r 2 r 1 p 4 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 4 ) , we have ( v 1 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( p 4 r 1 r 2 p 2 α ( p 2 ; p 4 , v 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
Case 4 | V ( P ) | = 3 .
Let v 1 , v 2 , v 3 V ( P ) . We have 3 friend points p 1 , p 2 , p 3 and 7 points remained. As shown in Figure 7, denote γ ( p 1 ; v 2 , p 3 ) γ ( p 3 ; v 3 , p 1 ) = T 1 , γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , p 2 ) γ ( p 2 ; v 3 , p 1 ) = T 2 , γ ( p 2 ; v 2 , p 3 ) γ ( p 3 ; v 1 , p 1 ) = T 3 .
Without loss of generality, we assume | T 3 | | T 1 | | T 2 | .
(1)  | T 3 | = 7 .
We have a cutting line L 5 ( p 2 , α ( p 2 ; p 3 , v 2 ) ) ) .
(2)  | T 3 | = 6 .
Name the remaining one r 1 . If r 1 γ ( p 3 ; v 3 , p 1 ) or r 1 γ ( p 2 ; v 3 , p 1 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( p 2 , p 3 ) . If r 1 γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , p 2 ) γ ( p 1 ; p 2 , p 3 ) : and if γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 1 , α ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) ) ; and if γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) = , we have ( v 1 v 3 p 3 ) 3 , ( r 1 p 1 v 2 p 2 α ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
(3)  | T 3 | = 5 .
Name the remaining two points r 1 , r 2 . Then we will discuss the region γ ( p 3 ; v 1 , p 1 ) , as shown in Figure 8.
Assume γ ( p 3 ; v 1 , p 1 ) = . (If γ ( p 1 ; p 2 , v 2 ) = , by the similar reason our conclusion is also right.) Let r 1 = α ( p 3 ; p 1 , p 2 ) . Suppose r 1 γ ( p 2 ; p 1 , p 3 ) .
If r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( p 3 , r 2 ) . If r 2 γ ( p 2 ; r 1 , p 1 ) : and if γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) , we have ( r 2 p 2 v 2 ) 3 , ( p 3 v 1 p 1 r 1 α ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points; and if γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) = , we have ( v 1 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( p 3 r 1 r 2 p 2 α ( p 2 ; p 3 , v 3 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. Suppose r 1 γ ( p 2 ; p 1 , v 3 ) . If r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( p 3 , r 2 ) . If r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 3 ) , we have ( r 1 v 2 p 2 ) 3 , ( p 3 v 1 p 1 r 1 α ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 2 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
Assume γ ( p 3 ; v 1 , p 1 ) and γ ( p 1 ; p 2 , v 2 ) . Then we suppose γ ( p 3 ; v 1 , p 1 ) has one point say r 1 and γ ( p 1 ; p 2 , v 2 ) has one point say r 2 . If γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( p 2 , r 1 ) . If γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) = , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 1 , α ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 3 ) .
(4)  | T 3 | = 4 .
Name the remaining three points r 1 , r 2 , r 3 . Then we will discuss the region γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 3 ) , as shown in Figure 9.
(a)
Assume r 1 , r 2 , r 3 γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 3 ) . Let r 1 = α ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 3 ) . We have ( v 1 p 2 p 3 ) 3 , ( r 1 p 1 v 2 p 2 p 3 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
(b)
Assume two of r i , i = 1 , 2 , 3 , say r 1 , r 2 γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 3 ) . Suppose r 3 γ ( p 2 ; p 1 , p 3 ) γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , p 2 ) . If γ ( r 3 ; p 1 , p 2 ) : we have a 4-hole from { r 4 , r 5 , r 6 , r 7 , v 3 } , ( p 1 v 2 p 2 r 3 α ( r 3 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ) 5 and a 3-hole from the remaining points. If γ ( r 3 ; p 1 , p 2 ) , we have ( r 3 p 1 v 2 p 2 α ( r 3 ; p 2 , p 1 ) ) 5 , ( r 1 r 2 v 1 ) 3 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If γ ( r 3 ; p 1 , p 2 ) = and γ ( r 3 ; p 1 , p 2 ) = , we have a cutting line L 4 ( p 2 , r 3 ) .
(c)
Assume one of r i , i = 1 , 2 , 3 , say r 1 γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 3 ) .
Suppose γ ( r 3 ; p 1 , v 2 ) = . We have a cutting line L 5 ( p 3 , r 2 ) .
Suppose γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 2 ) . Let r 2 = α ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 2 ) . If r 2 γ ( p 1 ; v 1 , p 2 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 2 , α ( r 2 ; p 3 , p 2 ) ) . Then we suppose r 2 γ ( p 1 ; p 2 , p 3 ) . If r 1 γ ( r 2 ; p 2 , p 1 ) : and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 3 , p 1 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 2 , r 3 ) ; and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 2 , p 1 ) , we have ( v 1 r 1 p 3 ) 3 , ( p 1 v 2 p 2 r 3 r 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points; and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 2 , v 2 ) , we have ( v 1 v 3 p 3 ) 3 , ( r 1 p 1 v 2 r 3 r 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points; and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; v 2 , p 3 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( v 2 , p 3 ) . If r 1 γ ( r 2 ; p 2 , p 3 ) : and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 3 , p 1 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 2 , α ( r 2 ; p 3 , p 1 ) ) ; and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 2 , p 1 ) , we have ( v 1 r 1 p 3 ) 3 , ( r 2 p 1 v 2 p 2 r 3 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points; and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; r 1 , p 2 ) , we have ( v 1 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( p 3 r 1 r 2 r 3 p 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points; and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; v 2 , r 1 ) , we have ( v 1 v 3 p 3 ) 3 , ( r 1 p 1 v 2 r 3 r 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points; and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 3 , v 2 ) , we have ( v 1 r 1 p 1 ) 3 , ( p 3 r 2 r 3 v 2 p 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
(d)
Assume γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 3 ) = . By the same reason, we also assume γ ( p 1 ; p 2 , v 1 ) = . Then we will discuss the region γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) , as shown in Figure 10.
(d1)
Suppose γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) = . Let r 1 = α ( p 1 ; p 3 , p 2 ) within ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) .
If γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 3 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( r 1 p 3 v 1 p 1 α ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 3 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
If γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 3 ) = : and if γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( p 3 v 1 p 1 r 1 α ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points; and if γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) = , let r 2 = α ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) within ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) , we have ( v 1 v 3 p 3 ) 3 , ( r 1 p 1 v 2 r 2 r 3 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points when r 3 γ ( r 2 ; r 1 , v 2 ) γ ( r 1 ; r 2 , p 1 ) , we have ( v 1 p 1 r 1 p 3 ) 4 , ( r 3 r 2 v 2 p 2 α ( r 3 ; p 2 , r 2 ) ) 5 and a 3-hole from the remaining points when r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 1 , v 2 ) and γ ( p 3 ; p 2 , v 1 ) γ ( r 3 ; p 2 , r 2 ) , we have ( v 1 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( p 3 r 1 r 2 r 3 α ( r 3 ; p 3 , r 2 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points when r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 1 , v 2 ) and γ ( p 3 ; p 2 , v 1 ) γ ( r 3 ; p 2 , r 2 ) = , we have ( v 1 r 1 p 3 ) 3 , ( p 1 v 2 p 2 r 3 r 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points when r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 1 , p 2 ) , we have ( v 1 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( p 3 r 1 r 2 r 3 p 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points when r 3 γ ( r 2 ; r 1 , p 2 ) .
(d2)
Suppose γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) has one of the r 1 , r 2 , r 3 , say r 1 γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) . Let r 2 = α ( p 2 ; p 1 , p 3 ) .
If r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 3 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( r 1 p 1 v 1 p 3 r 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
If r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 3 ) : and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; r 1 , p 3 ) , we have ( v 1 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( r 3 r 2 r 1 p 2 p 3 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points; and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 3 , p 1 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( v 1 p 1 r 2 r 3 p 3 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points; and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 1 , v 1 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 1 , α ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) ) when γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( r 3 r 2 p 1 r 1 α ( r 3 ; r 1 , r 2 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points when γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) = and γ ( r 3 ; r 1 , r 2 ) , we have ( r 1 p 1 v 2 p 2 ) 4 , ( p 3 v 1 r 2 r 3 α ( r 3 ; p 3 , r 2 ) ) 5 and a 3-hole from the remaining points when γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) = and γ ( r 3 ; r 1 , r 2 ) = .
If r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 3 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( p 3 v 1 p 1 r 1 r 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
(d3)
Suppose γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) has two of the points r 1 , r 2 , r 3 , say r 1 , r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) . Let r 1 = α ( p 2 ; p 1 , p 3 ) .
If γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 1 , α ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) ) .
If γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) = , let r 2 = α ( p 1 ; p 2 , p 2 ) : and if r 2 γ ( v 1 ; p 2 , p 3 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 2 , r 3 ) when r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 1 , p 3 ) , we have ( v 1 p 1 v 2 ) 3 , ( p 3 r 2 r 3 r 1 p 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points when r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 3 , r 1 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( r 2 v 1 p 1 r 1 p 3 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points when r 3 γ ( r 1 ; r 2 , p 1 ) , we have ( v 1 p 3 v 3 ) 3 , ( r 1 p 1 v 2 p 2 r 3 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points when r 3 γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) ; and if r 2 γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) , we have ( p 1 r 1 p 2 v 2 ) 4 , ( p 1 v 1 r 1 r 3 α ( r 3 ; p 3 , r 2 ) ) 5 and a 3-hole from the remaining points when γ ( r 2 ; r 3 , p 1 ) γ ( p 2 ; p 3 , v 2 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 1 , α ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) ) , when γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) , we have ( v 1 v 3 p 3 ) 3 , ( r 3 r 2 p 1 r 1 α ( r 1 ; r 3 , p 1 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points when γ ( r 2 ; r 3 , p 1 ) γ ( p 2 ; p 3 , v 2 ) = and γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) = .
(d4)
Suppose γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) has all of the three points r 1 , r 2 , r 3 . Let r 1 = α ( p 1 ; p 3 , p 2 ) , r 2 = α ( p 1 ; p 2 , p 3 ) .
If γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) or γ ( r 2 ; p 2 , p 1 ) , we always have a cutting line L 5 .
If γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 1 ) = and γ ( r 2 ; p 2 , p 1 ) = : and if r 3 γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 3 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( p 3 , r 1 ) ; and if r 3 γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 2 ) γ ( r 2 ; p 2 , r 1 ) , we have ( v 1 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( p 3 r 1 r 3 r 2 p 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points; and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 1 , p 2 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( p 2 , r 2 ) ; and if r 3 γ ( r 2 ; p 1 , v 2 ) , we have ( v 1 p 1 r 1 p 3 ) 4 , ( r 3 r 2 v 2 p 2 α ( r 3 ; p 2 , r 2 ) ) 5 and a 3-hole from the remaining points when γ ( r 3 ; p 2 , r 2 ) γ ( v 1 ; p 2 , p 3 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( r 1 p 1 r 2 r 3 α ( r 3 ; p 3 , r 2 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points when γ ( r 3 ; p 2 , r 2 ) γ ( v 1 ; p 2 , p 3 ) .
(5)  | T 3 | = 3 . Let r 1 , r 2 , r 3 T 3 .
(a)
| T 1 | = 3 .
Let r 4 , r 5 , r 6 T 1 . Name the remaining one point r 7 . Assume r 7 γ ( v 2 ; p 3 , p 2 ) , as shown in Figure 11.
Symmetrically, our conclusion is also right when r 7 γ ( v 2 ; p 3 , p 1 ) . Let r 4 = α ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 3 ) . We have ( r 5 r 6 v 1 ) 3 , ( r 4 p 1 v 2 r 7 p 3 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
(b)
| T 1 | = 2 .
Let r 4 , r 5 T 1 . Name the remaining two points r 6 , r 7 .
(b1)
| T 2 | = 2 . Let r 6 , r 7 T 2 .
Assume γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) = . Let r 4 = α ( p 2 ; v 1 , p 3 ) . Suppose r 5 γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) . We have a cutting line L 5 ( p 1 , p 3 ) . Suppose r 5 γ ( r 4 ; v 1 , p 3 ) . If γ ( r 5 ; p 3 , r 4 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 5 , α ( r 5 ; p 3 , v 4 ) ) . If γ ( r 5 ; p 3 , r 4 ) = , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 1 , α ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) where r 1 = α ( p 1 ; p 3 , p 2 ) . Suppose r 5 γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , v 1 ) . We have ( r 6 r 7 v 2 ) 3 , ( r 4 v 1 p 1 p 2 r 5 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
Assume γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) has one of r 4 , r 5 . Let r 4 α ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) . Suppose r 5 α ( r 4 ; p 1 , v 1 ) . If γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , v 1 ) = , we have ( r 2 r 3 v 3 ) 3 , ( r 5 r 4 p 2 r 1 p 3 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 1 = α ( p 2 ; p 3 , v 3 ) . If γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , v 1 ) , we have ( p 1 v 2 r 7 ) 3 , ( v 1 r 4 r 6 p 2 r 5 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 6 = α ( r 4 ; p 2 , v 1 ) .
Assume γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) has r 4 , r 5 . Let r 4 α ( p 2 ; v 1 , p 1 ) , r 1 = α ( p 2 ; p 3 , v 3 ) . we have ( r 2 r 3 v 3 ) 3 , ( p 2 r 1 p 3 v 1 r 4 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
(b2)
| T 2 | = 1 .
Let r 6 T 2 and r 7 ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) , as shown in Figure 12.
Assume r 6 γ ( r 7 ; p 3 , p 2 ) . We have ( r 2 r 3 v 3 ) 3 , ( p 3 r 7 r 6 p 2 r 1 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 1 = α ( p 2 ; p 3 , v 3 ) . Assume r 6 γ ( r 7 ; p 3 , v 2 ) . We have ( r 4 r 5 v 1 ) 3 , ( p 1 v 2 r 6 r 7 p 3 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. Assume r 6 γ ( r 7 ; p 1 , v 2 ) . If γ ( r 7 ; r 6 , p 2 ) , we have ( r 2 r 3 v 3 ) 3 , ( p 6 r 7 r 1 p 2 v 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 1 = α ( r 7 ; p 2 , r 6 ) . If γ ( r 7 ; r 6 , p 2 ) = , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( p 1 r 6 r 7 r 1 p 3 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 1 = α ( r 7 ; p 3 , p 1 ) .
(b3)
| T 2 | = 0 .
Let r 6 , r 7 ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) . Then we will discuss the region γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 1 ) , as shown in Figure 13.
Assume γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 1 ) = . Suppose γ ( r 6 ; p 3 , v 2 ) . We have ( p 3 p 1 v 2 r 6 α ( r 6 ; p 3 , v 2 ) ) 5 , ( r 4 r 5 v 1 ) 3 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. Suppose γ ( r 6 ; p 3 , v 2 ) = . If γ ( r 7 ; r 6 , p 2 ) γ ( p 2 ; r 7 , v 2 ) , we have ( r 2 r 3 v 3 ) 3 , ( r 6 v 2 p 2 r 1 r 7 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 1 = α ( r 7 ; p 2 , r 6 ) . If γ ( r 7 ; r 6 , p 2 ) γ ( p 2 ; r 7 , v 2 ) = , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( r 1 r 7 r 6 p 1 α ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 3 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 1 = α ( p 1 ; r 7 , p 3 ) within γ ( p 3 ; p 2 , v 3 ) .
Assume γ ( p 3 ; p 2 , v 1 ) = . We have ( r 2 r 3 v 3 ) 3 , ( r 1 p 3 r 6 v 2 p 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 1 = α ( p 3 ; p 2 , v 3 ) and r 6 = α ( p 3 ; v 2 , p 1 ) .
Assume γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 2 ) and γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 2 ) . We may assume r 6 γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 2 ) and r 7 γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 2 ) . Suppose r 7 γ ( r 6 ; p 2 , p 1 ) . We have ( r 4 r 5 v 1 ) 3 , ( r 6 r 7 p 2 v 2 p 1 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. Suppose r 7 γ ( r 6 ; p 3 , p 1 ) . If γ ( r 7 ; r 6 , p 2 ) , we have ( r 2 r 3 v 3 ) 3 , ( r 7 r 6 v 2 p 2 r 1 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 1 = α ( p 2 ; r 7 , v 2 ) . If γ ( r 7 ; r 6 , p 2 ) = : and if γ ( r 7 ; p 1 , v 1 ) = , we have ( r 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( v 1 p 1 r 6 r 7 r 4 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 4 = α ( r 7 ; p 1 , p 3 ) within γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 1 ) ; and if γ ( r 7 ; p 1 , v 1 ) , we have ( r 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( r 4 p 1 r 6 r 7 r 1 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 4 = α ( r 7 ; p 1 , v 1 ) .
(c)
| T 1 | = 1 . Let r 4 T 1 .
(c1)
| T 2 | = 1 . Let r 5 T 2 and r 6 , r 7 ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) .
Firstly, consider r 4 γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) , then we will discuss the region γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) = , as shown in Figure 14.
Assume γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) = . We have a cutting line L 5 ( r 4 , α ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 1 ) ) . Assume γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) . Let r 6 = α ( p 2 ; p 1 , v 1 ) . If γ ( r 6 ; p 2 , p 1 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 4 , α ( r 6 ; p 2 , p 1 ) ) . Then we may assume γ ( r 6 ; p 2 , p 1 ) = .
Suppose r 5 γ ( r 6 ; v 2 , r 4 ) . If r 7 γ ( r 6 ; p 2 , r 4 ) , we have ( p 1 v 2 r 5 ) 3 , ( r 4 r 7 r 6 p 2 α ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If r 7 γ ( r 6 ; p 1 , r 4 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 4 , r 6 ) .
Suppose r 5 γ ( r 6 ; v 2 , p 1 ) . If γ ( r 6 ; r 5 , p 1 ) , we have ( v 1 r 4 p 1 ) 3 , ( r 6 r 5 v 2 p 2 α ( r 6 ; p 2 , r 5 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If γ ( r 6 ; r 5 , p 1 ) = : and if r 7 γ ( r 6 ; r 4 , r 5 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( r 4 p 1 r 5 r 6 r 7 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points; and if r 7 γ ( r 6 ; r 4 , p 2 ) , we have ( p 1 v 2 r 5 ) 3 , ( r 4 r 7 r 6 p 2 α ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. Suppose r 5 γ ( r 6 ; p 2 , r 4 ) . If r 7 γ ( r 6 ; p 2 , r 4 ) , we have ( p 1 v 2 r 5 ) 3 , ( p 2 r 6 r 7 r 4 α ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If r 7 γ ( r 6 ; r 4 , p 2 ) H ( r 6 ; r 4 p 2 ) , we have ( p 1 v 2 r 6 r 5 ) 3 , ( p 3 r 4 r 7 p 2 α ( p 3 ; p 2 , v 1 ) ) 5 and a 3-hole from the remaining points. If r 7 γ ( p 2 ; r 4 , v 1 ) , we have ( v 1 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( r 1 r 6 r 5 p 2 r 7 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If r 7 γ ( p 2 ; v 1 , p 3 ) , we have ( p 1 v 2 r 5 ) 3 , ( v 1 r 4 r 6 p 2 r 7 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
Secondly, consider r 4 γ ( v 1 ; p 2 , p 3 ) , then we will discuss the region γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) = , as shown in Figure 15.
Assume γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) = . We have ( r 2 r 3 v 3 ) 3 , ( r 1 p 3 r 4 r 6 p 2 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 1 = α ( p 3 ; p 2 , v 3 ) , r 6 = α ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 1 ) . Assume γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) = . We have L 5 ( p 2 , r 4 ) . Assume γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) and γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) . Then we may assume r 6 γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) , r 7 γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 2 ) . Suppose r 6 γ ( r 4 ; v 1 , p 3 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) . If γ ( r 6 ; r 4 , p 3 ) , we have ( p 1 r 5 p 2 r 7 ) 4 , ( v 1 r 4 r 6 r 1 p 3 ) 5 and ( r 2 r 3 v 3 ) 3 where r 1 = α ( r 6 ; p 3 , r 4 ) . If γ ( r 6 ; r 4 , p 3 ) = : and if r 7 γ ( r 4 ; v 1 , p 2 ) γ ( v 1 ; p 2 , r 4 ) , we have L 5 ( p 2 ; r 4 ) ; and if r 7 γ ( r 4 ; r 5 , p 2 ) γ ( p 2 ; p 1 , v 1 ) , we have L 5 ( r 4 ; r 7 ) ; and if r 7 γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , r 5 ) , we have ( v 1 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( r 4 r 7 r 5 p 2 r 6 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. Suppose r 6 γ ( r 4 ; v 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) . If r 7 γ ( v 1 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) , we have ( r 5 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( v 1 r 7 p 2 r 6 r 4 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If r 7 γ ( v 1 ; p 2 , r 4 ) γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 2 ) : and if r 7 γ ( r 7 ; r 4 , p 1 ) , we have L 5 ( r 4 , r 7 ) ; and if r 5 γ ( r 7 ; r 4 , p 2 ) , we have ( v 1 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( r 4 r 7 r 5 p 2 r 6 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
(c2)
| T 2 | = 0 .
Denote r 1 , r 2 , r 3 T 3 , r 4 T 2 , r 5 , r 6 , r 7 ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) . Let r 5 = α ( p 3 ; p 1 , p 2 ) within ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) . If γ ( r 5 ; p 1 , p 3 ) , we have L 5 ( r 5 ; α ( r 5 ; p 3 , p 1 ) ) . Then we assume γ ( r 5 ; p 1 , p 3 ) = , and we will discuss the region γ ( r 5 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) = , as hown in Figure 16.
Assume γ ( r 5 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) = , we have ( v 1 r 4 p 3 ) 3 , ( r 5 p 1 v 2 p 2 α ( p 2 ; r 5 , p 3 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
Assume γ ( r 5 ; p 2 , p 3 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) = . Let p 6 = α ( r 5 ; p 2 , p 3 ) . Suppose r 4 γ ( r 5 ; p 3 , r 6 ) . We have ( r 2 r 3 v 3 ) 3 , ( p 2 r 1 p 3 r 4 α ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 1 = α ( p 2 ; p 3 , v 2 ) . Suppose r 4 γ ( r 5 ; p 1 , r 6 ) . We have ( r 2 r 3 r 4 ) 3 , ( p 2 r 1 p 3 r 5 r 6 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 1 = α ( p 2 ; p 3 , v 2 ) .
Assume γ ( r 5 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) and γ ( r 5 ; p 2 , p 3 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) . Without loss of generality, we suppose r 6 γ ( r 5 ; p 1 , p 2 ) , r 7 γ ( r 5 ; p 2 , p 3 ) .
Firstly, we may assume r 6 γ ( r 5 ; v 2 , p 2 ) . Suppose r 4 γ ( r 6 ; p 7 , p 2 ) . We have L 5 ( p 2 , r 6 ) . Suppose r 4 γ ( r 5 ; r 6 , p 1 ) H ( r 5 ; r 6 p 2 ) . We have a cutting line L 5 ( r 5 , r 6 ) . Suppose r 4 γ ( r 6 ; p 6 , p 1 ) . If r 7 γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) , we have ( v 1 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( v 4 r 5 r 6 p 2 r 7 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If r 7 γ ( p 2 ; r 4 , p 5 ) , we have ( v 3 r 2 r 3 ) 3 , ( v 1 p 1 r 6 r 5 ) 4 and ( p 3 r 4 r 7 p 2 r 1 ) 5 where r 1 = α ( p 2 ; p 3 , v 2 ) .
Secondly, we have may assume r 6 γ ( r 5 ; v 2 , p 3 ) , we have ( v 1 p 1 r 4 ) 3 , ( r 5 r 6 v 2 p 2 r 7 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
(d)
| T 1 | = 0 . | T 2 | = 0 .
Let r 4 , r 5 , r 6 , r 7 ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) . And r 1 = α ( p 3 ; p 2 , v 3 ) , r 4 = α ( p 3 ; p 2 , p 1 ) , r 5 = α ( p 2 ; p 1 , r 4 ) . If γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) , we have ( r 2 r 3 v 3 ) 3 , ( p 2 r 1 p 3 r 4 α ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. Assume r 5 γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 3 ) . If γ ( r 5 ; p 2 , p 1 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 5 ; α ( r 5 ; p 2 , p 1 ) ) . Then we will discuss the region γ ( v 4 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) and γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 3 ) γ ( p 1 ; p 5 , r 4 ) , as shown in Figure 17.
Assume γ ( v 4 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) = . We have ( r 7 r 5 v 2 ) 3 , ( r 4 p 3 v 1 p 1 r 6 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points where r 6 = α ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 3 ) .
Assume γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 3 ) γ ( p 1 ; p 5 , r 4 ) = . Let r 6 = α ( p 1 ; p 3 , r 4 ) . Suppose r 7 γ ( r 6 ; r 4 , p 1 ) . We have ( v 1 v 2 p 1 ) 3 , ( p 2 r 4 r 7 r 6 r 5 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. Suppose r 7 γ ( r 6 ; r 4 , v 1 ) γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 2 ) . We have ( r 1 r 2 r 3 ) 3 , ( p 1 v 2 p 2 r 5 ) 4 and ( r 4 p 3 v 1 r 6 r 7 ) 5 . Suppose r 7 γ ( r 6 ; r 5 , v 1 ) γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 2 ) . We have ( v 3 r 2 r 3 ) 3 , ( r 4 p 2 r 1 p 3 ) 4 and ( r 6 v 1 p 2 r 5 r 7 ) 5 . Suppose r 7 γ ( r 6 ; r 5 , p 2 ) . We have ( v 1 v 2 p 2 ) 3 , ( r 4 p 3 r 6 r 7 r 5 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. Suppose r 7 γ ( r 6 ; p 1 , r 3 ) . We have a cutting line L 5 ( p 3 , r 6 ) .
Assume γ ( v 4 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) and γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 3 ) γ ( p 1 ; p 5 , r 4 ) . Without loss of generality, assume r 6 γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 2 ) ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) , r 7 γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 3 ) γ ( p 1 ; p 5 , r 4 ) .
Suppose r 6 γ ( r 5 ; p 3 , p 1 ) . We have a cutting line L 5 ( r 6 , α ( r 6 ; p 1 , p 3 ) .
Suppose r 6 γ ( r 5 ; p 3 , p 1 ) γ ( v 1 ; r 4 , p 3 ) . If r 7 γ ( r 5 ; p 3 , p 2 ) γ ( p 1 ; r 5 , r 4 ) , we have ( v 2 p 2 r 5 ) 3 , ( v 1 p 1 r 7 r 4 r 6 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points. If r 7 γ ( r 5 ; p 3 , p 1 ) γ ( r 4 ; p 1 , p 3 ) , we have ( v 2 p 2 p 3 ) 3 , ( v 1 p 1 r 5 r 7 r 6 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
Suppose r 6 γ ( r 5 ; p 3 , p 1 ) γ ( v 1 ; r 1 , p 1 ) . If r 7 γ ( r 6 ; r 4 , v 1 ) , we have ( v 1 r 6 r 7 r 4 p 3 ) 5 , ( p 1 v 2 p 2 r 5 ) 4 and ( r 1 r 2 r 3 ) 3 . If r 7 γ ( r 6 ; r 5 , v 1 ) , we have ( v 2 v 3 p 2 ) 3 , ( v 1 p 1 r 5 r 7 r 6 ) 5 and a 4-hole from the remaining points.
(6)  | T 3 | = 2 .
Let r 1 , r 2 T 3 and r 1 = α ( p 2 ; p 3 , v 1 ) . Assume r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 2 , v 3 ) . We have ( p 2 r 1 r 2 v 3 ) 4 and the remaining 9 points are in H ( v 3 ¯ ; p 2 p 3 ) , as shown in Figure 18.
By the discussion of Part One, we know our conclusion is right. Assume r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , v 2 ) . We have ( p 3 r 1 r 2 v 2 ) 4 . By the discussion of Part One, we know our conclusion is also right. Assume r 2 γ ( r 1 ; p 3 , p 2 ) . We have a cutting line L 5 ( p 2 , α ( p 2 ; p 3 , p 1 ) ) .
(7)  | T 3 | = 1 .
Let r 1 T 3 , r 2 T 1 , r 3 T 2 and r 4 , r 5 , r 6 , r 7 ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) . Let r 4 = α ( p 3 ; p 2 , p 1 ) within ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) .
Assume r 4 γ ( p 3 ; p 1 , v 1 ) , as shown in Figure 19.
If r 2 γ ( v 1 ; p 2 , p 3 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 2 , α ( r 2 ; p 2 , p 1 ) ) . If r 2 γ ( v 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( v 1 , α ( v 1 ; p 2 , p 1 ) ) . Assume r 4 γ ( p 3 ; p 2 , v 1 ) . If γ ( r 4 ; p 3 , p 2 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 4 , α ( r 4 ; p 3 , p 2 ) ) . If γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 4 ; α ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) ) . If γ ( r 4 ; p 3 , p 2 ) = and γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , p 3 ) = : and if r 1 γ ( r 4 ; p 2 , v 3 ) , we have ( r 4 p 3 v 3 r 1 ) 4 ; and if r 1 γ ( r 4 ; p 3 , v 3 ) , we have ( p 2 r 4 r 1 v 3 ) 4 . Then the remaining 9 points are all in H ( v 3 ¯ ; p 2 p 3 ) . By the discussion of Part One, our conclusion is right.
(8)  | T 3 | = 0 .
Then | T 2 | = 0 , | T 1 | = 0 and r i ( p 1 p 2 p 3 ) for i = 1 , , 7 . Let r 1 = α ( p 1 ; p 3 , p 2 ) .
If r 1 γ ( p 1 ; p 3 , v 3 ) , as shown in Figure 20.
We have ( v 1 p 1 r 1 p 3 ) 4 and the remaining 9 points are all in H ( p 3 ¯ ; p 1 r 1 ) . By the discussion of Part One, our conclusion is right. If r 1 γ ( p 1 ; p 3 , v 3 ) : and if γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 3 ) = , we have ( v 1 p 3 r 1 p 1 ) 4 and the remaining 9 points are all in H ( v 1 ¯ ; p 3 r 1 ) ; and if γ ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 3 ) , we have a cutting line L 5 ( r 1 , α ( r 1 ; p 1 , p 3 ) ) . ☐

4. Conclusions

In this paper, we discuss a classical discrete geometry problem. After detailed proof, conclusion shows that a general planar point set contains a 3-hole, a 4-hole and a 5-hole, with at least 13 points. As 30 n ( 6 ) 463 [16,21] and n ( 7 ) does not exist, the proposed theorem will contribute to the theoretical research to some degree. Discrete geometry is a meaningful tool to study social networks. Therefore, our conclusion could be used to deal with some complex network problems. For example, under the environment of competition social structure, the structural holes which have been studied by many economists, are part of an important research branch of discrete geometry.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, Z.Y.; Funding acquisition, Q.Y.; Methodology, Q.Y. and X.Y.

Funding

National Social Science Fund of China (18CGL018).

Acknowledgments

National Social Science Fund of China (18CGL018). This fund covers the costs to publish in open access.

Conflicts of Interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Figure of attack point.
Figure 1. Figure of attack point.
Symmetry 10 00447 g001
Figure 2. Figure of separating line.
Figure 2. Figure of separating line.
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Figure 3. Figure of point determined by two separating lines.
Figure 3. Figure of point determined by two separating lines.
Symmetry 10 00447 g003
Figure 4. Figure of | V ( P ) | = 6
Figure 4. Figure of | V ( P ) | = 6
Symmetry 10 00447 g004
Figure 5. Figure of | V ( P ) | = 5 .
Figure 5. Figure of | V ( P ) | = 5 .
Symmetry 10 00447 g005
Figure 6. Figure of | V ( P ) | = 4 .
Figure 6. Figure of | V ( P ) | = 4 .
Symmetry 10 00447 g006
Figure 7. Figure of | V ( P ) | = 5 .
Figure 7. Figure of | V ( P ) | = 5 .
Symmetry 10 00447 g007
Figure 8. Figure of | T 3 | = 5
Figure 8. Figure of | T 3 | = 5
Symmetry 10 00447 g008
Figure 9. Figure of | T 3 | = 4
Figure 9. Figure of | T 3 | = 4
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Figure 10. Figure of | T 3 | = 4 with shaded region nonempty.
Figure 10. Figure of | T 3 | = 4 with shaded region nonempty.
Symmetry 10 00447 g010
Figure 11. Figure of | T 1 | = 3 .
Figure 11. Figure of | T 1 | = 3 .
Symmetry 10 00447 g011
Figure 12. Figure of | T 2 | = 1.
Figure 12. Figure of | T 2 | = 1.
Symmetry 10 00447 g012
Figure 13. Figure of | T 2 | = 0.
Figure 13. Figure of | T 2 | = 0.
Symmetry 10 00447 g013
Figure 14. Figure of | T 1 | = 1 and | T 2 | = 1 .
Figure 14. Figure of | T 1 | = 1 and | T 2 | = 1 .
Symmetry 10 00447 g014
Figure 15. Figure of | T 1 | = 1 and | T 2 | = 1 with shaded region nonempty.
Figure 15. Figure of | T 1 | = 1 and | T 2 | = 1 with shaded region nonempty.
Symmetry 10 00447 g015
Figure 16. Figure of | T 1 | = 1 and | T 2 | = 0 .
Figure 16. Figure of | T 1 | = 1 and | T 2 | = 0 .
Symmetry 10 00447 g016
Figure 17. Figure of | T 1 | = 1 and | T 2 | = 0 with shaded region nonempty.
Figure 17. Figure of | T 1 | = 1 and | T 2 | = 0 with shaded region nonempty.
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Figure 18. Figure of | T 3 | = 2 .
Figure 18. Figure of | T 3 | = 2 .
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Figure 19. Figure of | T 3 | = 1 .
Figure 19. Figure of | T 3 | = 1 .
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Figure 20. Figure of | T 1 | = 0 and | T 2 | = 0 .
Figure 20. Figure of | T 1 | = 0 and | T 2 | = 0 .
Symmetry 10 00447 g020

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MDPI and ACS Style

Yang, Q.; You, Z.; You, X. A Note on the Minimum Size of a Point Set Containing Three Nonintersecting Empty Convex Polygons. Symmetry 2018, 10, 447. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym10100447

AMA Style

Yang Q, You Z, You X. A Note on the Minimum Size of a Point Set Containing Three Nonintersecting Empty Convex Polygons. Symmetry. 2018; 10(10):447. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym10100447

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yang, Qing, Zengtai You, and Xinshang You. 2018. "A Note on the Minimum Size of a Point Set Containing Three Nonintersecting Empty Convex Polygons" Symmetry 10, no. 10: 447. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym10100447

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