The trefoil (Q2254958)

Let \(\mathcal{T}\) denote the trefoil, which, in rectangular coordinates, is given by \((x^2+y^2)^3=A(2x^3-6xy^2)\). The paper under review provides a parametrization of the trefoil using Dixon's elliptic functions sm\(\,z\) and cm\(\,z\), where, for any real \(z\) one has sm\(\,z=w\) with \[ z=\int^w_0 \frac{dx}{(1-x^3)^{2/3}} \] and sm\(^3\,z+\)cm\(^3\,z=1\), see \textit{A. C. Dixon} [Quart. J. 24, 167--233 (1890; JFM 21.0490.01)]. \noindent The authors compute several new identities for sm\(\,z\), cm\(\,z\) and their derivatives and apply them to the study of the Fermat curve \(\mathcal{E}: x^3+y^3=1\). Then via the group of projective symmetries (which the Fermat curve shares with \(\mathcal{T}\)), they obtain various links between the cubic curve \(\mathcal{E}\) and the sextic \(\mathcal{T}\) and are able to provide the arc lenght parametrization of the trefoil via Dixon's function. This parametrization also yields an explicit description of \(\mathcal{T}\) as a quotient \(\mathbb{C}/\Pi\) (for some period lattice \(\Pi\), i.e., \(\mathcal{T}\) as an elliptic curve) and as a Platonic surface.