Activity Overview
The TI Nspire's animation feature is used to show how a point on a rotating circle creates the cycloid curve. Students then examine the parametric equation of the cycloid. Finally, students are tasked with going online to investigate the terms brachistochronous and tautochronous and their relationship to the cycloid.
Before the Activity
This activity assumes students have been introduced to parametric equations. It is designed to be student centered with limited teacher guidance.