Curves

Plateau Curves

Main
Parametric Cartesian equation:
x=asin(m+n)t/sin(mn)t,y=2asin(mt)sin(nt)/sin(mn)tx = a \sin(m + n)t/\sin(m - n)t, y = 2a \sin(mt)\sin(nt)/\sin(m - n)t

Description

This curve was studied by the Belgium physicist and mathematician Joseph Plateau.

If m=2nm = 2n the Plateau curves become a circle, centre (1, 0) and radius 2.

The particular curves drawn above are with the parameters m=5,n=3m = 5, n = 3.