Rose Curve

rose curve

Rose curves as defined by “r==Cos[p/q*θ]”. The fraction on the upper right corner indicates the parameter p/q.

Mathematica Notebook for This Page.

History

Studied by Guido Grandi↗ around 1723.

aka rhodonea

Description

Rose describes a family of curves. Roses are probably historically defined as the pedals of epi/hypocycloids with respect to their centers, which has the polar form r==Cos[p/q*θ], where p and q are relatively prime↗. Not all possible rational p/q in r==Cos[p/q*θ] occur as pedals of epi/hypocycloids, but we can define rose to be the curve r==Cos[p/q*θ], where p/q is any rational. The curve has loops that are symmetrically distributed around the pole. The loops are called petals or leafs.

If p and q are both odd, it has a period of π*q with p petals, otherwise the period is 2*π*q and has 2*p petals. In particular, r==Cos[p/1*θ] has p petals and periodicy π if p is odd, else it has 2*p petals with period 2*π. The period of the curve can be derived by studying the period of the parametric form Cos[p/q*t]*{Cos[t],Sin[t]}. In particular, analying the period of Sin[p/q*t]*Sin[t]. Similarly, the number of petals can be inferred. The curve r==Cos[r*θ] where r is irrational, is non-periodic.

Roses are shaped like a airplane propeller when q==1. If q is not 1, the “propeller blades” are fat and overlap, which alludes to its name “rose”.

The rose r==Cos[3*θ] is called Trifolium (having 3 petals), and r==Cos[2*θ] is called Quadrifolium (having 4 petals). The pedals of a deltoid with respect to one of its cusp, vertex, or center is called a folium, bifolium, and trifolium respectively. They are called n-foliums because the curves have n loops. However, folium and bifolium are not roses. Only the trifolium is a rose. (*XahNote: verify if the curve historically called “folium” is the 1 petalled rose r==Cos[1/3*θ].*)

Formulas

Polar equation: r==Cos[p/q*θ]. rose_plot.gcf

Cartesian equation for a 4-pedaled rose r==Cos[2*θ] rotated by 2*π/8 is (x^2+y^2)^3==4*x^2*y^2. rose_eq.gcf

list all equation in rect coord for n-leafed rose. Proof if for some n its not algebraic.

Properties

Rose as Hypotrochoid

Roses are special cases of hypotrochoids. (see Curve Family Index)

Roses are probably also epitrochoids. Prove or disprove it. Also, epitrochoid and or hypotrochoids has double generation; check how it applies to rose.

Pedal, Radial, Epycycloid, and Hypocycloid

The pedal and radial of a epi/hypocycloid with respect to their centers are roses. The following image epiHypocycloidEpiPedal.png shows 40 epicycloids (blue) and their pedals (red). See epi/hypocycloid page for more detail and illustration.

“Real” roses

rose curve

This animation shows r == Sin[c*θ] with c going from 2 to 3. It shows what happens when c is irrational and how a 4 leafed rose transforms to a 3 leafed rose smoothly. When c is irrational, the curve fills a circle as θ goes to infinity. real_roses.mov Real Rose Curve real_roses.nb.zip

Cotes's Spiral

Rose inverts to a curve called Cotes's Spiral.

rose curve

Rose inverts to a curve called Cotes's Spiral.

See: Websites on Plane Curves, Printed References On Plane Curves.

The MacTutor History of Mathematics archive↗.

Wikipedia: Rose (mathematics)↗.

1997
© 1995-2008 by Xah Lee.