From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!hou5f!hou5b!hou5c!hou5e!hou5a!hou5d!hogpc!houxm!mhuxa!mhb5b!princeto!leei
Newsgroups: net.math
Title: Re: re: Math riddle
Article-I.D.: princeto.154
Posted: Sun May  8 01:53:49 1983
Received: Tue May 17 21:26:53 1983
References: utastro.333


	In case anyone is interested, the set of curves generated by the
series of equations:

		n       n
	    a|x|  + b|y|  = k

for  1 <= x <= oo  were labelled `superellipses' by the Dutch architect Piet
Hein.  He used the solid `superellipsoids' in some of his sculptures and even
some architectural forms.  I can't remember whether I read this in one of
Martin Gardner's mathematical games columns in SA or not, but I have a feeling
that this was where I saw it. (I am supported on this by a friend sitting next
to me.  He says that the article is reprinted in Mathematical Carnival)

					-Lee Iverson
					princeton!leei