brachystochrone Definition
a curve that is the fastest path between two points not directly above one another, and through which a body can slide without friction under the influence of gravity alone.
Using brachystochrone: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "brachystochrone" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The brachystochrone is a cycloid.
Example
The brachystochrone problem was solved by Johann Bernoulli in 1696.
Example
The brachystochrone curve has the property that a bead sliding on it under gravity will take the same time to reach the bottom, regardless of its starting point.
Origins of brachystochrone
from Greek 'brachys', meaning 'short', and 'stochronos', meaning 'time'
Summary: brachystochrone in Brief
A 'brachystochrone' [brak-uh-stuh-krohn] is a curve that represents the fastest path between two points not directly above one another, through which a body can slide without friction under the influence of gravity alone. It was first solved by Johann Bernoulli in 1696 and is represented by a cycloid.
