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Reference.org
Radius of curvature
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Differential_geometry/c04XmyLu">differential geometry</a>, the radius of curvature, R, is the <a href="/facts/Multiplicative_inverse/yczdYyCw">reciprocal</a> of the <a href="/facts/Curvature/RFCAEsj8">curvature</a>. For a <a href="/facts/Curve/xBQ0pTBW">curve</a>, it equals the <a href="/facts/Radius/9Gr9deYD">radius</a> of the <a href="/facts/Circular_arc/RrehhCQR">circular arc</a> which best approximates the curve at that point. For <a href="/facts/Surface_(mathematics)/whF08jvy">surfaces</a>, the radius of curvature is the radius of a circle that best fits a <a href="/facts/Normal_section/fflIjA8j">normal section</a> or <a href="/facts/Earth_radius/PVsf0g2I">combinations</a> thereof. </p>