The duality between singular points and inflection points on wave fronts

Abstract

In the previous paper (arXiv:0804.0701), the authors gave criteria for A_{k+1}-type singularities on wave fronts. Using them, we show in this paper that there is a duality between singular points and inflection points on wave fronts in the projective space. As an application, we show that the algebraic sum of 2-inflection points (i.e. godron points) on an immersed surface in the real projective space is equal to the Euler number of M_-. Here M^2 is a compact orientable 2-manifold, and M_-$is the open subset of M^2 where the Hessian of f takes negative values. This is a generalization of Bleecker and Wilson's formula for immersed surfaces in the affine 3-space.