Extremum problems for eigenvalues of discrete Laplace operators Original Research Article

The P1 discretization of the Laplace operator on a triangulated polyhedral surface is related to geometric properties of the surface. This paper studies extremum problems for eigenvalues of the P1 discretization of the Laplace operator. Among all triangles, an equilateral triangle has the maximal first positive eigenvalue. Among all cyclic quadrilaterals, a square has the maximal first positive eigenvalue. Among all cyclic n-gons, a regular one has the minimal value of the sum of all positive eigenvalues and the minimal value of the product of all positive eigenvalues.