TOPICS
Search

6-Sphere Coordinates


6-SphereCoordinates

The coordinate system obtained by inversion of Cartesian coordinates, with u,v,w in (-infty,infty). The transformation equations are

x=u/(u^2+v^2+w^2)
(1)
y=v/(u^2+v^2+w^2)
(2)
z=w/(u^2+v^2+w^2).
(3)

The equations of the surfaces of constant coordinates are given by

 (x-1/(2u))^2+y^2+z^2=1/(4u^2),
(4)

which gives spheres tangent to the yz-plane at the origin for u constant,

 x^2+(y-1/(2v))^2+z^2=1/(4v^2),
(5)

which gives spheres tangent to xz-plane at the origin for v constant, and

 x^2+y^2+(z-1/(2w))^2=1/(4w^2),
(6)

which gives spheres tangent to the xy-plane at the origin for w constant.

The metric coefficients are

 g_(uu)=g_(vv)=g_(ww)=1/((u^2+v^2+w^2)^2).
(7)

See also

Cartesian Coordinates, Inversion

Explore with Wolfram|Alpha

References

Moon, P. and Spencer, D. E. "6-Sphere Coordinates (u,v,w)." Fig. 4.07 in Field Theory Handbook, Including Coordinate Systems, Differential Equations, and Their Solutions, 2nd ed. New York: Springer-Verlag, pp. 122-123, 1988.

Referenced on Wolfram|Alpha

6-Sphere Coordinates

Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "6-Sphere Coordinates." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/6-SphereCoordinates.html

Subject classifications