Lituus
History
The Lituus curve is studied by Roger Cotes in 1722 [Robert C Yates 1952].
The word lituus means a curved staff used by the augurs in quartering the heavens, or A kind of trumpet of a somewhat curved form and shrill note.
Description
Lituus is a spiral described by the polar equation r == 1/Sqrt[θ].
![lituus](lituus.png)
The curve is asymptotic to the positive x-axis, and the other end spiral in towards the pole. The above image is a plot from 0.1 to 20*Pi. As θ approachs infinity, the curve approaches the origin.
Formula
Polar equation: r == 1/Sqrt[θ].
Properties
It has the property that a circular sector produces the same area. That is, suppose P is a point on the curve, and X a point on the asymptote OP distance from the origin O. Suppose the area of the circular sector OPX is A. As P moves towards the center on the curve, the area remains the same.
inverse of parabolic spiral
The inverse of Lituus with respect to the center is the parabolic spiral.
![lituus inv](../ArchimedeanSpiral_dir/lituus_inv.png)
misc
The lituus spiral is a recurring shape in art called Volute .
![violin scroll](violin_scroll.jpg)