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The equiangular spiral
The polar equation of the equiangular spiral is: It receives the name of equiangular because the angle formed by the radius vector and the tangent is constant.
If It is the locus of the transform of (a,0) by a dilative rotation (Coxeter). In the applet different equiangular spirals can be seen. For example, dragging the indicated points. The property that gives name to the equiangular spiral can be verified pressing the bottons "Step +" or "Step -". This spiral was called "spiral mirabilis" by Jacob Bernouilli.
We can see that the angle formed by the radius vector and the tangent is constant.
This example is the golden equiangular spiral.
REFERENCES
Coxeter - Introduction to Geometry (John Whiley and sons)
Steinhaus - Mathematical Snapshots.
D'Arcy Thompson - On Growth and Form. (Cambridge University Press)
LINKS
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