On Toponogov's comparison theorem for Alexandrov spaces

Abstract

In this expository note, we present a transparent proof of Toponogov's theorem for Alexandrov spaces in the general case, not assuming local compactness of the underlying metric space. More precisely, we show that if M is a complete geodesic metric space such that the Alexandrov triangle comparisons for curvature greater than or equal to k are satisfied locally, then these comparisons also hold in the large. The proof is a modification of an argument due to Plaut.

9 pages, 3 figures. Introduction modified, some minor changes made, reference added (thanks to Anton Petrunin)