Conchoid (mathematics)
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A conchoid is a curve derived from a fixed point O, another curve, and a length d. For every line through O that intersects the given curve at A the two points on the line which are d from A are on the conchoid.
The simplest expression uses polar coordinates with O at the origin. If [r=\alpha(\theta)] expresses the given curve then [r=\alpha(\theta)\pm d] expresses the conchoid.
All conchoids are cissoids with a circle centered on O as one of the curves.
The prototype of this class is the conchoid of Nicomedes in which the given curve is a line.
A limaçon is a conchoid with a circle as the given curve.
The often-so-called conchoid of de Sluze and conchoid of Dürer do not fit this definition; the former is a strict cissoid and the latter a construction more general yet.
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