- #1
- 350
- 203
Recently, I saw my friend drawing cool, flower like graphs that looks like the path of electrons in atoms and he drew it with device with gears and holes with gears. What's that called?
Help identifying a mathy thing
- Context: High School
- Thread starter YoungPhysicist
- Start date
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around identifying a mathematical drawing tool that produces intricate, flower-like graphs resembling the paths of electrons in atoms. Participants explore various names and concepts related to these types of graphs and the devices used to create them.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant describes seeing a friend create flower-like graphs and seeks to identify the device used.
- Some participants suggest names such as "Flower of life" and "Circles of Apollonius" as potential identifiers for the drawings.
- Another participant proposes the "rhodonea curve" as a possible match for the drawings.
- A participant questions whether the rhodonea curve can be drawn using gears and gear-holes, suggesting it might be a toy from a stationery shop.
- One participant speculates that the device could be a sophisticated version of a "ruler and compass" geometric construction.
- Another participant identifies the device as a "Spirograph," sharing a personal anecdote about its introduction in the United States and its popularity among children.
- One participant recalls making similar designs with just a pencil compass and paper, contrasting it with the more complex device discussed.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express multiple competing views regarding the names and types of devices used to create the flower-like graphs, with no consensus reached on a single identifier.
Contextual Notes
Some assumptions about the complexity and nature of the device remain unresolved, and there is uncertainty about the exact terminology used in different regions.
- #2
hilbert2
Science Advisor
- 1,611
- 611
Attachments
- #3
- 350
- 203
- #4
hilbert2
Science Advisor
- 1,611
- 611
Then it could be the rhodonea curve: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_(mathematics)
- #5
- 350
- 203
That looks quite like what he drew,but can that be drawn by gears(the wheels with teeth on them) and gear-holes?hilbert2 said:
I believe it is some sort of toy since he said he get it from a stationery shop. And that looked way to complicated to be a toy.
- #6
hilbert2
Science Advisor
- 1,611
- 611
Maybe it's some kind of a more sophisticated version of a "ruler and compass" geometric construction.
- #7
- 350
- 203
- #8
OmCheeto
Gold Member
- 2,514
- 3,539
Young physicist said:
I've only ever heard them called Spirographs.
First introduced here in the states in 1966, when I was about 7 years old.
I'm pretty sure my siblings and I nearly bankrupted our parents in paper & colored pen costs.
- #9
- 350
- 203
- #10
OmCheeto
Gold Member
- 2,514
- 3,539
I remember making those! All you needed was a pencil compass and paper.hilbert2 said:
I do not remember ever doodling one of those as a child.
Similar threads
- · Replies 11 ·
- · Replies 4 ·
High School
Fractional/decimal powers
- · Replies 10 ·
High School
What type of equation is this?
- · Replies 6 ·
- · Replies 13 ·
- · Replies 5 ·
High School
Why are things the color they are?
- · Replies 3 ·
- · Replies 1 ·
Graduate
Avalanche photon detectors
- · Replies 0 ·