I am performing a mathematical exploration into the mathematics of ballet. I began by examining the fouetté turns and I thought that the shape/structure created when the ballet turns would be a helix. However, my further research led me to the following video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5VgOdgptRg
Using this I began looking at the ballerina as a spinning top while she performs the fouetté turn. I would like to graph this 3D shape ,created by the ballerina when she turns, on a graphing software such as Autograph. However, I am unable to figure out the equation of a spinning top or how to graph it. Is there a specific mathematical name or equation for the shape of a spinning top? How can it be graphed?
Your question is best explained by the following link: http://www.mathematica-journal.com/2012/02/motion-of-a-spinning-top/. Also the following link would help: http://www.maths.surrey.ac.uk/explore/michaelspages/Spin.htm.