Instructions
Use the sliders above to change the shape of the Lissajous curve. Investigate how each slider affects the pattern created. Your mission is the find the settings that produce a perfectly symmetrical (vertically and horizontally) infinity symbol.
For those with a knowledge of trigonometry the parametric equations of the curve currently showing at the top of this page are:
The solutions are available when you are signed in. If you do not yet have an account you can apply for one here.
Lissajous figures were sometimes displayed on oscilloscopes meant to simulate high-tech equipment in science-fiction TV shows and movies in the 1960s and 1970s.
Transum,
Friday, November 22, 2024
"The word lemniscate evokes both elegance and infinity, describing the figure-eight shape often used to represent unbounded continuity. Originating from the Latin word lemniscus, meaning ribbon, the lemniscate curves gracefully in a perpetual loop, a visual embodiment of symmetry and balance. In mathematics, it is most famously recognised as the symbol for infinity (8), a concept that transcends limits and stretches into the boundless. This form has also found its place in geometry, as the lemniscate of Bernoulli—a locus of points whose product of distances to two foci is constant—serves as a fascinating blend of algebra and art. The lemniscate remains a timeless symbol of unending potential and interconnection."