Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 April 2009
Let K be a closed convex set in the Euclidean plane, with area A(K), which contains in its interior only one point 0 of the integer lattice. If K has other than one or three chords through 0 of one of the following types, it is shown that A(K) ≤ 4, while if K has three of one type, A(K) ≤ 4.5. The types of chords considered are chords which partition K into two regions of equal area, chords which lie midway between parallel supporting lines of K, and chords such that K is invariant under reflection in them. The results are generalised to any lattice in the plane.