The Mysterious Surface Made of Cotton Swabs: A Hyperboloid
Abstract
Cotton swabs are often sold in cylindrical transparent containers. As you take them out one by one, a beautiful shape like the one in the photo above may appear. Have you ever seen it? This shape is known as a hyperbolic paraboloid .
Fields of Study & Subjects
Mathematics and Applications
Mathematical and Computational Methods
Advanced Theoretical and Applied Studies in Material Sciences and Geometry
Publication details
- Journal / source
- A K Peters/CRC Press eBooks
- Pages
- 94–102
- Publication date
- 17 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter