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Suppose that a 3-D surface has the property that $|k_1|\leq 1$ and $|k_2|\leq 1$ everywhere, where $k_1$ and $k_2$ are the principal curvatures. Prove or disprove that the curvature $k$ of a curve on that surface also satisfies $|k|\leq 1$.

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    Do you mean *normal* curvature of the curve?2011-05-24
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    The's a formula relating $k$, $k_1$ and $k_2$, and it's an equality. Find that formula and you'll have your answer. From the way you write your question I'm assuming it's a homework question so there's really no need for any more hints than the above.2011-05-24

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I don't think so. Take, for example, a plane, which has principal curvatures zero. Pick a small circle, with radius $R$ smaller than $1$ in that plane. The circle has curvature $1/R>1$.

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    I was thinking that the OP might be speaking of non-flat surfaces (by which I mean that we exclude those points on a surface which make the matrix of the II fundamental form identically zero)2011-05-24
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    Even if the surfaces are not flat, I don't think the result in the question is valid. The principal curvatures are the minimum and maximum curvatures of curves obtained by normal sections of the surface. But if you consider an arbitrary curve contained in the given surface, you could locally make the curvature as big as possible (I think).2011-05-24
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    It's probably right. I wasn't thinking of the problem, I was just making a remark (in our differential geometry class we never dealt with flat points). Even now I don't have time to think - it's almost 6am :)2011-05-25