Directions sets: A generalization of ratio sets

Abstract

For every integer $k \geq 2$ and every $A \subseteq \mathbb{N}$, we define the \emph{$k$-directions sets} of $A$ as $D^k(A) := \{{\bf a} / \|{\bf a}\| : {\bf a} \in A^k\}$ and $D^{\underline{k}}(A) := \{{\bf a} / \|{\bf a}\| : {\bf a} \in A^{\underline{k}}\}$, where $\|\cdot\|$ is the Euclidean norm and $A^{\underline{k}} := \{{\bf a} \in A^k : a_i \neq a_j \text{ for all } i \neq j\}$. Via an appropriate homeomorphism, $D^k(A)$ is a generalization of the \emph{ratio set} $R(A) := \{a / b : a,b \in A\}$, which has been studied by many authors. We study $D^k(A)$ and $D^{\underline{k}}(A)$ as subspaces of $S^{k-1} := \{{\bf x} \in [0,1]^k : \|{\bf x}\| = 1\}$. In~particular, generalizing a result of Bukor and T\'oth, we provide a characterization of the sets $X \subseteq S^{k-1}$ such that there exists $A \subseteq \mathbb{N}$ satisfying $D^{\underline{k}}(A)^\prime = X$, where $Y^\prime$ denotes the set of accumulation points of $Y$. Moreover, we provide a simple sufficient condition for $D^k(A)$ to be dense in $S^{k-1}$. We conclude leaving some questions for further research.