Cartesian equation:
y = x cot(πx/2a)
Polar equation:
r = 2aθ/(πsin(θ))
Click below to see one of the Associated curves.
Later it was studied by Dinostratus in 350 BC who used the curve to square the circle.
Hippias of Elis was a statesman and philosopher who travelled from place to place taking money for his services. Plato describes him as a vain man being both arrogant and boastful. He had a wide but superficial knowledge. His only contribution to mathematics seems to be the quadratrix.
Other Web sites:
Main index | Famous curves index |
Previous curve | Next curve |
The URL of this page is:
http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Curves/Quadratrix.html