The superformula is a generalization of the superellipse and was first proposed by Johan Gielis.

Gielis suggested that the formula can be used to describe many complex shapes and curves that are found in nature. Others point out that the same can be said about many formulas with a sufficient number of parameters.

In polar coordinates, with r the radius and φ the angle, the superformula is:

[math] r\left(\phi\right) = \left[ \left| \frac{\cos\left(\frac{m\phi}{4}\right)}{a} \right| ^{n_{2}} + \left| \frac{\sin\left(\frac{m\phi}{4}\right)}{b} \right| ^{n_{3}} \right] ^{-\frac{1}{n_{1}}} [/math]

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