Paper 3, Section II, F

Geometry | Part IB, 2014

Let T\mathcal{T} be a decomposition of the two-dimensional sphere into polygonal domains, with every polygon having at least three edges. Let V,EV, E, and FF denote the numbers of vertices, edges and faces of T\mathcal{T}, respectively. State Euler's formula. Prove that 2E3F2 E \geqslant 3 F.

Suppose that at least three edges meet at every vertex of T\mathcal{T}. Let FnF_{n} be the number of faces of T\mathcal{T} that have exactly nn edges (n3)(n \geqslant 3) and let VmV_{m} be the number of vertices at which exactly mm edges meet (m3)(m \geqslant 3). Is it possible for T\mathcal{T} to have V3=F3=0V_{3}=F_{3}=0 ? Justify your answer.

By expressing 6FnnFn6 F-\sum_{n} n F_{n} in terms of the VjV_{j}, or otherwise, show that T\mathcal{T} has at least four faces that are triangles, quadrilaterals and/or pentagons.

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