What is this geometric pattern called?

Question

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 22 '14 at 06:04

3

The shape formed is approximately a parabola. See link for some more details about the construction.

Generally, constructions like this seem to be called "geometric string art".

answered Jul 22 '14 at 06:04

user165670

One can make a parabola by using lines in this manner, but that doesn't make this a parabola. – Semiclassical Jul 22 '14 at 06:06
@Semiclassical I'm not sure what you're getting at. Is it that this is only an approximation to a parabola? – user165670 Jul 22 '14 at 06:08
You're right. But I just want to know the general name for patterns like this (if there is such a name). – Shabbeh Jul 22 '14 at 06:08
2

The general pattern is an envelope. But I'm trying to confirm something, and I may've jumped too quick on you (sorry). – Semiclassical Jul 22 '14 at 06:09
2

You were correct initially: It is a parabola. (I thought it was a hyperbola). See Wikipedia's page on envelopes of curves; this example is given as an animation and discussed in the text. – Semiclassical Jul 22 '14 at 06:10

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