NAME

Math::PlanePath::TheodorusSpiral -- right-angle unit step spiral

SYNOPSIS

use Math::PlanePath::TheodorusSpiral;
my $path = Math::PlanePath::TheodorusSpiral->new;
my ($x, $y) = $path->n_to_xy (123);

DESCRIPTION

This path puts points on the spiral of Theodorus, also called the square root spiral.

                                61                 6
                                  60
            27 26 25 24                            5
         28            23           59
       29                 22          58           4

    30                      21         57          3
   31                         20
                4                       56         2
  32          5    3          19
            6         2                 55         1
 33                            18
           7       0  1                 54    <- y=0
 34                           17
           8                            53        -1
 35                          16
            9                          52         -2
  36                       15
              10         14           51          -3
   37           11 12 13            50
                                                  -4
     38                           49
       39                       48                -5
         40                  47
            41             46                     -6
               42 43 44 45


                   ^
-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 x=0 1  2  3  4  5  6  7

Each step is a unit distance at right angles to the previous radial spoke. So for example,

   3        -- y=1+1/sqrt(2)
    \
     \
       2       y=1
       |
       |
 0-----1    <- y=0

 ^
x=0   x=1

1 to 2 is a unit step at right angles to the 0 to 1 radial. Then 2 to 3 steps at a right angle to radial 0 to 2 (which is 45 degrees up to the left), etc. The distance 0 to 2 is sqrt(2), the distance 0 to 3 is sqrt(3), and in general r(N) = sqrt(N) since each step is a right triangle with r(N+1)^2 = r(N)^2 + 1. The resulting shape is very close to an Archimedean spiral with successive loops increasing in radius by pi = 3.14159 or thereabouts each time.

X,Y positions returned are fractional and each integer N position is exactly 1 away from the previous. Fractional N values give positions on the straight line between the integer points. (An analytic continuation for a rounded curve between points is possible, but not currently implemented.)

Each loop is just under 2*pi^2 = 19.7392 longer than the previous. This means points of the quadratic 9.8696*k^2 for integer k form an almost straight line. Quadratics close to 9.87 or a square multiple of that nearly line up. For example the 22-polygonal numbers have 10*k^2 and at low values are nearly straight, but then spiral away.

FUNCTIONS

The code is currently implemented by adding up unit steps in X,Y coordinates, so it's not particularly fast. The last X,Y is saved in the object anticipating successively higher N (not necessarily consecutive), plus past positions 1000 apart ready for re-use or to go back to.

$path = Math::PlanePath::TheodorusSpiral->new ()

Create and return a new theodorus spiral object.

($x,$y) = $path->n_to_xy ($n)

Return the x,y coordinates of point number $n on the path.

$n can be any value $n >= 0 and fractions give positions on the spiral in between the integer points.

For $n < 0 the return is an empty list, it being currently considered there are no negative points in the spiral. (The analytic continuation by Davis would be a possibility, though the resulting "inner spiral" makes positive and negative points overlap a bit. A spiral starting at x=-1 would fit in between the positive points.)

$n = $path->xy_to_n ($x,$y)

Return an integer point number for coordinates $x,$y. Each integer N is considered the centre of a circle of diameter 1 and an $x,$y within that circle returns N.

The unit steps of the spiral means those unit circles don't overlap, but the loops are 3.14 apart so there's gaps in between. If $x,$y is not within one of the unit circles then the return is undef.

SEE ALSO

Math::PlanePath, Math::PlanePath::SacksSpiral, Math::PlanePath::MultipleRings

HOME PAGE

http://user42.tuxfamily.org/math-planepath/index.html

LICENSE

Math-PlanePath is Copyright 2010, 2011 Kevin Ryde

Math-PlanePath is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 3, or (at your option) any later version.

Math-PlanePath is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with Math-PlanePath. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.