The cycloid as brachistochrone: A one-page proof, from first principles, without calculus

2025/07/30 by Putland, Gavin R.
#49 (Primary) 51 #70 #78 #97 (Secondary) #Classical Physics (physics.class-ph) #FOS: Mathematics #FOS: Physical sciences #History and Overview (math.HO) #Popular Physics (physics.pop-ph)

paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2507.22548

Abstract

Johann Bernoulli's optical solution of the brachistochrone problem is rebuilt on underlying (non-optical) principles. An "optical interpretation" is given afterwards.

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