Approximate Euclidean shortest path in 3-space

Abstract

Papadimitriou's approximation approach to the Euclidean shortest path (ESP) problem in 3-space is revisited. As this problem is NP-hard, his approach represents an important step towards practical algorithms. Unfortunately, there are non-trivial gaps in the original description. Besides giving a complete treatment, we also give an alternative to his subdivision method which has some nice properties. Among the tools needed are root-separation bounds and non-trivial applications of Brent's complexity bounds on evaluation of elementary functions using floating point numbers.