Algebraic and geometric characterizations of double-cross matrices of polylines

Abstract

We study the double-cross matrix descriptions of polylines in the two-dimensional plane. The double-cross matrix is a qualitative description of polylines in which exact, quantitative information is given up in favour of directional information. First, we give an algebraic characterization of the double-cross matrix of a polyline and derive some properties of double-cross matrices from this characterisation. Next, we give a geometric characterization of double-cross similarity of two polylines, using the technique of local carrier orders of polylines. To end, we identify the transformations of the plane that leave the double-cross matrix of all polylines in the two-dimensional plane invariant.