Lituus (mathematics)
In mathematics, a lituus is a spiral with polar equation
where k is any non-zero constant.
Thus, the angle is inversely proportional to the square of the radius.
This spiral, which has two branches depending on the sign of, is asymptotic to the axis. Its points of inflexion are at and.
The curve was named for the ancient Roman lituus by Roger Cotes in a collection of papers entitled Harmonia Mensurarum, which was published six years after his death.
