Definition of brachistochrone in English:
brachistochrone
nounbrəˈkɪstəkrəʊnbrəˈkistəˌkrōn
Mathematics A curve between two points along which a body can move under gravity in a shorter time than for any other curve.
Example sentencesExamples
- Here one can see a graph of the brachistochrone for the given endpoint.
- An inverted cycloid is the brachistochrone, that is the curve between two points in a vertical plane, along which a bead needs the shortest time to travel.
- Further enhancements will guide the user through the development of brachistochrones for force fields which differ from gravitational force fields.
- The brachistochrone problem was one of the earliest problems posed in the calculus of variations.
- The brachistochrone is a cycloid, but that cycloid is not the only curve satisfying the equation.
Origin
Late 18th century: from Greek brakhistos 'shortest' + khronos 'time'.