A Projection Identity for Simplices Sharp Inequalities, Converse Results, and Affine Projections

Abstract

We study a projection identity for a simplex in Euclidean space, written in terms of the frame operator of its unit edge directions. For a right simplex, the identity leads to a sharp family of distance inequalities and a complete description of equality. For a general simplex, the same formula is controlled by the spectrum of the Gram matrix through the Ky Fan principle. We prove converse results that characterise right simplices and determine the smallest number of projection subspaces needed to force orthogonality, together with an optimal quantitative estimate. We also treat affine projection subspaces and show how the original inequality for mutually perpendicular vectors fits into the same framework.