Definition:Epicycloid/Generator/Deferent

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Definition

Let an epicycloid be generated by rolling a circle $C_1$ around the outside of another circle $C_2$.


Epicycloid.png


The circle $C_2$ can be referred to as the deferent of the epicycloid.


Also known as

A deferent is also known as a stator.

This term has been taken by $\mathsf{Pr} \infty \mathsf{fWiki}$ from the children's toy Spirograph, which itself was taken from the term stator as applied to the static part of a rotary machine.


Also see


Linguistic Note

The term deferent was used by Apollonius of Perga in his exposition on epicycloids.


Sources