What is the variable in the Plateau curve

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The discussion centers on the mathematical representation of a circle defined by the parametric equations x=a(1+2cos(2nt)) and y=2asin(2nt) when m=2n. The variable that determines the functions x and y is definitively t, not n. The resulting graph is a circle with a center at (a,0) and a radius of 2a. Users attempting to visualize this in Microsoft Excel reported difficulties, confirming that the correct variable is t for accurate representation.

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When m=2n,

[tex]x=a(1+2\cos(2nt))[/tex]
[tex]y=2a\sin(2nt)[/tex]

where

a is a constant.

The graph is a circle. Now, what is the variable with respect to which the functions x and y are calculated? Is it n or t? When I tried it on Microsoft Excel, neither created a circle. So I really don't know which one is the variable. Thanks.
 
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The variable is most likely t. And it gives a circle with center (a,0) and radius 2a.
 
micromass said:
The variable is most likely t. And it gives a circle with center (a,0) and radius 2a.

Oh, thanks.
 

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