Cycloid | The Helen of geometers (English)
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Definition (advanced level)
The path of a point moving with a circle as the circle rolls along a straight line or a curve. Usually, the point is on the circumference of the circle - otherwise we say that it is a prolate cycloid or a curtate cycloid. Usually the curve is a straight line.
(It has sometimes been called the Helen of geometers, because it has caused as many arguments among mathematicians as Helen of Troy - the most beautiful woman on earth - caused among men.)
(It has sometimes been called the Helen of geometers, because it has caused as many arguments among mathematicians as Helen of Troy - the most beautiful woman on earth - caused among men.)
Relations
- broader:
- (en) Curve
- (en) Roulette
- narrower:
- (en) Curtate cycloid
- (en) Prolate cycloid
- referenced:
- (en) Brachistochrone
- (en) Hypocycloid
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