Curves

Lame Curves

Main
Cartesian equation:
(x/a)n+(y/b)n=1(x/a)^{n} + (y/b)^{n} = 1

Description

In 1818 Lamé discussed the curves with equation given above. He considered more general curves than just those where nn is an integer. If nn is a rational then the curve is algebraic but, for irrational nn, the curve is transcendental.

The curve drawn above is the case n=4n = 4. For even integers nn the curve becomes closer to a rectangle as nn increases. For odd integer values of nn the curve looks like the even case in the positive quadrant but goes to infinity in both the second and fourth quadrants.

The case n=23n = \large\frac{2}{3}\normalsize is the Astroid, while the case n=3n = 3 is the (so-called) Witch of Agnesi.

The case n=52n = \large\frac{5}{2}\normalsize has been associated with the Danish architect and poet Piet Hein (inventor of the Soma Cube) under the name of superellipse and have been used for a variety of purposes, including motorway bridges and other architectural applications.