ovals of Cassini

ovals of Cas·​si·​ni

-kəˈsēnē,

-ka-,

-kȧ-

: a curve that is the locus of points of the vertex of a triangle whose opposite side is fixed and the product of whose adjacent sides is a constant and that has the equation [(x + a)² + y²] [(x − a)² + y²] − k⁴ = 0 where k is the constant and a is one half the length of the fixed side

Word History

Etymology

after G.D. Cassini †1712 French astronomer

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

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