Superhyperbola
a year ago
- #design
- #mathematics
- #geometry
- An ellipse and hyperbola have standard equations, with superellipse and superhyperbola being variations where p=2 reduces them to their standard forms.
- Increasing p makes the superellipse resemble a rectangle with continuous curvature change, unlike rounded rectangles.
- The superhyperbola becomes more blunt at vertices as p increases.
- Superellipses are well-known, partly due to Piet Hein's advocacy, while superhyperbolas are obscure, possibly due to naming issues.
- The name 'superhyperbola' is considered off-putting, with 'superbola' suggested as a catchier alternative.
- Historical use of gendered language ('he') in mathematics is noted, with a shift towards gender-neutral terms like 'they'.
- Ellipses and hyperbolas can form orthogonal families of curves, raising the question if superellipses and superhyperbolas can do the same.
- Piet Hein is credited with popularizing the superellipse and possibly coining the 'super-' prefix in this context.