Definition

lemniscate

Part of the Computing fundamentals glossary:

A lemniscate is a plane curve with a characteristic shape, consisting of two loops that meet at a central point as shown below. The curve is also known as the lemniscate of Bernoulli.

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In the ( x , y ) plane, the lemniscate can be described in terms of the following general equation:

( x ² + y ² ) ² = a ² ( x ² - y ² )

where a represents the greatest distance between the curve and the origin. There are two points on the curve that meet this criterion; both of them lie on the x axis. In the above graph, if each division represents one unit, then a = 5.

The lemniscate, reduced in size to that of typographical characters, is commonly used as the symbol for infinity , or for a value that increases without limit.

This was last updated in September 2005

Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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infinity
- In general, infinity is the quality or state of endlessness or having no limits in terms of time, space, or other quantity. (WhatIs.com)
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