We can demonstrate this by looking at the equation for a quadratic Bézier:
(1 - t)^2 P_0 + 2(1 - t)t P_1 + t^2 P_2
= [ (1 - t)^2 P_0 + 2(1 - t)t P_1 + t^2 P_2 ] * [ 1 - t + t ]
= [ (1 - t)^2 P_0 + 2(1 - t)t P_1 + t^2 P_2 ] * [ (1 - t) + t ] = (1 - t)^3 P_0 + t(1 - t)^2 P_0 + 2(1 - t)^2t P_1 + 2(1 - t)t^2 P_1 + (1 - t)t^2 P_2 + t^3 P_2
= (1 - t)^3 P_0 + t(1 - t)^2 [P_0 + 2*P_1] + (1 - t)t^2 [2P_1 + P_2] + t^3 P_2
Thus, all quadratic Beziers can represented cubic ones, but the reverse does not hold, thus quadratics are specializations of cubics.
QED.
This is known as degree elevation.
I'm not very math savvy and I was trying to get this right.
Anyway, thank you very much for making this clear!
Cheers!
We can demonstrate this by looking at the equation for a quadratic Bézier:
Now, let's increase the degree. clearly this equation is equal to the above one because 1-t+t == 1 and multiplying by one does nothing. Group by powers of t: Which is exactly a cubic Bezier curve.Thus, all quadratic Beziers can represented cubic ones, but the reverse does not hold, thus quadratics are specializations of cubics.
QED.
This is known as degree elevation.