In mathematics, a set S in the Euclidean space Rn is called a star domain (or star-convex set) if there exists x0 in S such that for all x in S the line segment from x0 to x is in S. This definition is immediately generalizable to any real or complex vector space.
Intuitively, if one thinks of S as of a region surrounded by a fence, S is a star domain if one can find a vantage point x0 in S from which any point x in S is within line-of-sight.
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Examples
- Any line or plane in Rn is a star domain.
- A line or a plane without a point is not a star domain.
- If A is a set in Rn, the set
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- obtained by connecting any point in A to the origin is a star domain.
![B= \{ ta : a\in A, t\in[0,1] \}](http://wpcontent.answers.com/math/2/b/d/2bd5bc1a756ffcc7d47d398daafbb837.png)
Properties
- Any non-empty convex set is a star domain. A set is convex if and only if it is a star domain with respect to any point in that set.
- A cross-shaped figure is a star domain but is not convex.
- The closure of a star domain is a star domain, but the interior of a star domain is not necessarily a star domain.
- Any star domain is a contractible set, via a straight-line homotopy. In particular, any star domain is a simply connected set.
- The union and intersection of two star domains is not necessarily a star domain.
- A nonempty open star domain S in Rn is diffeomorphic to Rn.
See also
- Art gallery problem
- Star polygon — an unrelated term
- Star-shaped polygon
References
- Ian Stewart, David Tall, Complex Analysis. Cambridge University Press, 1983. ISBN 0-521-28763-4.
- C.R. Smith, A characterization of Star-shaped sets, American Mathematical Monthly, Vol. 75, No. 4 (April 1968). pp. 386.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Star-shaped sets |
- Weisstein, Eric W., "Star convex" from MathWorld.
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