Curves

Plateau Curves

Main
Parametric Cartesian equation:
x=asin(m+n)tsin(mn)tx = a\Large\frac{ \sin(m + n)t}{\sin(m - n)t},
y=2asin(mt)sin(nt)sin(mn)ty = 2a\Large\frac{ \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.