Scissors Congruence with Mixed Dimensions

Abstract

We introduce a Grothendieck group $E_n$ for bounded polytopes in $\mathbb R^n$. It differs from the usual Euclidean scissors congruence group in that lower-dimensional polytopes are not ignored. We also define an analogous group $L_n$ using germs of polytopes at a point, which is related to spherical scissors congruence. This provides a setting for a generalization of the Dehn invariant.