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The semi-minor axis of an ellipse runs from the center of the ellipse (a point halfway between and on the line running between the foci) to the edge of the ellipse. The semi-minor axis is half of the minor axis. The minor axis is the longest line segment perpendicular to the major axis that connects two points on the ellipse's edge. The semi ...
An ellipse (red) obtained as the intersection of a cone with an inclined plane. Ellipse: notations Ellipses: examples with increasing eccentricity. In mathematics, an ellipse is a plane curve surrounding two focal points, such that for all points on the curve, the sum of the two distances to the focal points is a constant.
The major axis is the chord between the two vertices: the longest chord of an ellipse, the shortest chord between the branches of a hyperbola. Its half-length is the semi-major axis ( a ). When an ellipse or hyperbola are in standard position as in the equations below, with foci on the x -axis and center at the origin, the vertices of the conic ...
Parabolas have only one focus, so, by convention, confocal parabolas have the same focus and the same axis of symmetry. Consequently, any point not on the axis of symmetry lies on two confocal parabolas which intersect orthogonally (see below). A circle is an ellipse with both foci coinciding at the
Transverse – intersecting at any angle, i.e. not parallel. Orthogonal (or perpendicular) – at a right angle (at the point of intersection). Elevation – along a curve from a point on the horizon to the zenith, directly overhead. Depression – along a curve from a point on the horizon to the nadir, directly below.
One parameterization of the elliptical figure specifies the orientation angle ψ, defined as the angle between the major axis of the ellipse and the x-axis [13] along with the ellipticity ε = a/b, the ratio of the ellipse's major to minor axis. [14] [15] [16] (also known as the axial ratio).
For example, on a triaxial ellipsoid, the meridional eccentricity is that of the ellipse formed by a section containing both the longest and the shortest axes (one of which will be the polar axis), and the equatorial eccentricity is the eccentricity of the ellipse formed by a section through the centre, perpendicular to the polar axis (i.e. in ...
Transverse axis refers to an axis that is transverse (side to side, relative to some defined "forward" direction). In particular: Transverse axis (aircraft)