WOLFRAM|DEMONSTRATIONS PROJECT

Limaçons as Envelopes of Circles

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center of the generating circle
number of variable circles shown
0
6
18
30
show limaçon
A limaçon can be defined as the envelope of the circles that pass through a fixed point P and have centers on a given circle
C
. In this Demonstration, P is the origin. You can vary the center of the circle
C
(shown in red) to see the envelope (shown in blue) change. Unchecking the "show limaçon" checkbox lets you picture the envelope on your own.