The lemniscate of Bernoulli, without formulas (Q2341292)
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English | The lemniscate of Bernoulli, without formulas |
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The lemniscate of Bernoulli, without formulas (English)
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23 April 2015
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``A polynomial lemniscate with foci \(F_1,F_2,\dots,F_n\) is a locus of points \(X\) such that the product of distances from \(X\) to the foci is constant (\(\prod_{i=1,\dots,n}|F_iX|=\mathrm{const}\)). The \(n\)-th root of this value is called the \textit{radius} of the lemniscate. It is clear that a lemniscate is an algebraic curve of degree (at most) \(2n\)'' (from the text). Using purely synthetic arguments, the author presents three constructions of the Bernoulli lemniscate (\(n=2\), \(\mathrm{const}=(1/4)|F_1F_2|^2\)), one is based on a three-bar linkage invented by James Watt. In the same way it is proved that the Bernoulli lemniscate is an inversion image of an equilateral hyperbola. Finally, a very simple construction of the normal of the Bernoulli lemniscate is described.
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polynomial lemniscate
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radius of a lemniscate
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Cassini oval
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lemniscate of Bernoulli
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equilateral hyperbola
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