family of curves

noun

Mathematics.

1. a collection of curves whose equations differ only by values assigned a parameter or parameters.

Example Sentences

After observing overcurved rings of various sizes and materials, the researchers found a family of curves with fairly simple mathematical descriptions that they believed would model the shapes these overcurved rings take in space.

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The relation expressing the equation of the envelope is called a singular solution of the differential equation, meaning an isolated solution, as not being one of a family of curves depending upon an arbitrary parameter.

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