Topological characteristics of random triangulated surfaces

Authors

Nicholas Pippenger, Harvey Mudd CollegeFollow
Kristin Schleich, University of British Columbia

Document Type

Article

Department

Mathematics (HMC)

Publication Date

5-2006

Abstract

We consider the topological characteristics of orientable surfaces generated by randomly gluing n triangles together. Our results are most conveniently expressed in terms of a parameter h = n / 2 + χ, where χ is the Euler characteristic of the surface. Simulations and results for similar models suggest that Ex [h] = log(3n) + γ + o(1) and Var [h] = log(3n) + γ - π² / 6 + o(1). We prove that Ex [h] = log n + O(1) and Var [h] = O(log n). We also derive results concerning a number of other topological invariants and combinatorial characteristics of these random surfaces. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2006

Rights Information

© 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

DOI

10.1002/rsa.20080

Recommended Citation

Pippenger, N. and Schleich, K. (2006), Topological characteristics of random triangulated surfaces. Random Structures & Algorithms, 28: 247–288.