Cycloid

Cycloid

The path traced by a point on a wheel as the wheel rolls, without slipping, along a flat surface. The standard parametrization is x = a(t – sin t), y = a(1 – cos t), where a is the radius of the wheel.

Note: Cycloids are periodic functions.

 

 

 

See also

Brachistochrone, tautochrone, cardioid, trig functions, area using parametric equations