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Piriform Curve


Piriform

A quartic algebraic curve also called the peg-top curve and given by the Cartesian equation

 a^4y^2=b^2x^3(2a-x)
(1)

and the parametric curves

x=a(1+sint)
(2)
y=bcost(1+sint)
(3)

for t in [0,2pi). It was studied by G. de Longchamps in 1886.

The area of the piriform is

 A=piab,
(4)

which is exactly the same as the ellipse with semiaxes a and b.

The curvature of the piriform is given by

 kappa(t)=-(ab[2+3sint+sin(3t)])/(2{a^2cos^2t+b^2[cos(2t)-sint]^2}^(3/2)).
(5)

See also

Butterfly Curve, Dumbbell Curve, Eight Curve, Heart Surface, Pear Curve, Piriform Surface

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References

Cundy, H. and Rollett, A. Mathematical Models, 3rd ed. Stradbroke, England: Tarquin Pub., p. 71, 1989.Lawrence, J. D. A Catalog of Special Plane Curves. New York: Dover, pp. 148-150, 1972.

Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Piriform Curve." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/PiriformCurve.html

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