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Archimedean, Logarithmic and Euler spirals − intriguing and ubiquitous patterns in nature

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 February 2019

Danilo R. Diedrichs
Danilo R. Diedrichs*
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Wheaton College, 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187, USA e-mail: danilo.diedrichs@wheaton.edu
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Extract

Spirals are among the most intriguing of geometrical patterns, frequently encountered in the world around us at all scales, from the cosmic spiral arms of galaxies to the microscopic structure of the DNA molecule. For centuries, humans have studied these patterns, classifying them, giving them different names, and describing them mathematically. The most common definition of a two-dimensional spiral is a curve on the plane traced by a point that winds around a certain fixed point (called the spiral's pole), while monotonically approaching or receding from it, depending on the direction of motion.

Type
Articles
Information
The Mathematical Gazette , Volume 103 , Issue 556 , March 2019 , pp. 52 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © Mathematical Association 2019 

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