# What is the meaning of $(x^2+y^2)^n$? Is this an already known geometric object?

We all know that $x^2+y^2=r^2$ is a circle. What does $(x^2+y^2)^2$ signify? In general, what is $(x^2+y^2)^n$?

• It remains a circle... assuming that $x,y\in\mathbb{R}$. The reason behind it is simply given by the fact that you can always take the n-th root on both sides and you don't change the possibile values... – b00n heT Jan 25 '14 at 14:08
• This doesn't answer your question, but it's interesting to note that if $x^2 + y^2 - r^2 = 0$ is squared on both sides, then the resulting polynomial still determines a circle, but all the points are multiplicity two roots of the equation now. – Nick Jan 25 '14 at 14:09
• Perhaps you're thinking of the "superellipses", a.k.a. "(even-degree) Fermat curves" $x^{2n} + y^{2n} = 1$, which become "successively more square" as $n \to \infty$...? – Andrew D. Hwang Jan 25 '14 at 14:56
• @ hAcKnRoCk : Sorry I cannot understand your question because on one hand you write x²+y²=r² which is an equation and on the other hand (x²+y²)² which is not an equation (there is no = in it). What exactly do you want to compare ? – JJacquelin Jan 25 '14 at 15:12
• Higher dimensions = more variables. – Martín-Blas Pérez Pinilla Jan 25 '14 at 15:59

Using the transformation: $$x=r\cos(t),~~y=r\sin(t)$$ there is no change. I mean the circle remains unchanged.