Vertices of Ovals with Constant Width Relative to Particular Circles

Abstract

In this article, we study ovals of constant width in a plane, comparing them to particular circles. We use the vertices on the oval, after counting them, as a reference to measure the length of the curve between opposite points. A new proof of Barbier’s theorem is introduced. A distance function from the origin to the points of the oval is introduced, and it is shown that extreme values of the distance function occur at the vertices and opposite points. Comparisons are made between ovals and particular circles. We prove that the differences in the distances from the origin between the particular circles and the ovals are small and within a certain range. We also prove that all types of ovals described in this paper are analytically and geometrically enclosed between two defined circles centered at the origin.

Keywords

• convex curve
• ovals
• constant width
• curvature
• Barbier’s theorem
• distance function