On Polygons Excluding Point Sets

Abstract

By a polygonization of a finite point set $S$ in the plane we understand a simple polygon having $S$ as the set of its vertices. Let $B$ and $R$ be sets of blue and red points, respectively, in the plane such that $B\cup R$ is in general position, and the convex hull of $B$ contains $k$ interior blue points and $l$ interior red points. Hurtado et al. found sufficient conditions for the existence of a blue polygonization that encloses all red points. We consider the dual question of the existence of a blue polygonization that excludes all red points $R$. We show that there is a minimal number $K=K(l)$, which is polynomial in $l$, such that one can always find a blue polygonization excluding all red points, whenever $k\ge K$. Some other related problems are also considered.

14 pages, 15 figures