The curve was studied by Fermat, Guido Grandi in 1701, and by Maria Agnesi in 1748. In Italian, this curve is called la versiera di Agnesi which means "the curve of Agnesi". Early on this was read by Cambridge professor John Colson as "l'avversiera di Agnesi", where "avversiera" means "witch", and the mistranslation into English stuck. Expressions |
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