# Curve of pursuit

A curve representing a solution of the "pursuit" problem, which is posed as follows: Let a point $M$ be moved uniformly along a given curve. The trajectory has to be found of the uniform movement of a point $N$, such that the tangent drawn towards the trajectory at any moment of the movement would pass through the position of $M$ corresponding to that moment in time.

Figure: c027400a

In a plane, the system of equations which the curve of pursuit must satisfy takes the form

$$\eta-y=\frac{dy}{dx}(\xi-x),\quad F(\xi,\eta)=0,$$

where $dy/dx$ is the slope of the curve of pursuit, and $F(\xi,\eta)=0$ is the equation of the given curve.

The "pursuit" problem was posed by Leonardo da Vinci and solved by P. Bouguer (1732). For a generalization of it see the last Chapter of [2].

#### References

 [1] A.A. Savelov, "Planar curves" , Moscow (1960) (In Russian) [2] J.E. Littlewood, "A mathematician's miscellany" , Methuen (1953)
How to Cite This Entry:
Curve of pursuit. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://www.encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Curve_of_pursuit&oldid=32278
This article was adapted from an original article by D.D. Sokolov (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article