Necessary and sufficient conditions for a triangle comparison theorem

Abstract

We prove a version of Topogonov's triangle comparison theorem with surfaces of revolution as model spaces. Given a model surface and a Riemannian manifold with a fixed base point, we give necessary and sufficient conditions under which every geodesic triangle in the manifold with a vertex at the base point has a corresponding Alexandrov triangle in the model. Under these conditions we also prove a version of the Maximal Radius Theorem and a Grove--Shiohama type Sphere Theorem.