Ellipse Definition and 406 Threads

  1. J

    Since the earth orbits in an ellipse, not a circle

    doesn't that mean that one hemisphere would have a hotter summer than the other hemisphere and the opposite would have a colder winter? if so, which is which. I am willing to guess the northern hemisphere has the colder winter and southern has the hotter summer.
  2. R

    How to show that the motion graph of a linear oscillator is an ellipse.

    Homework Statement The motion of a linear oscillator may be represented by means of a graph in which x is abscissa and dx/dt as ordinate. The histroy of the oscillator is then a curve a)show that for an undamped oscillator this curve is an ellipse b) show (at least qualitatively) that if a...
  3. Philosophaie

    Calculate the Normal vector to an Ellipse

    How do you calculate the Normal vector to an Ellipse. Radius Vector: r=rx*i + ry*j + rz*k Velocity Vector: v=vx*i + vy*j + vz*k at this point I would like to calculate the Normal to the ellipse. That is as far as I been able to calculate. Any help or suggestions are welcome.
  4. F

    How can i know that this equation is a ellipse?

    Sketch the following region: | z+i | + | z-1 | =2 I know that it is a ellipse, but i am trying to replace the z for x +iy. I reached the following equation. 3x^2+3y^2 = 4x-4y+2xy now how can a simplify it in order to have the ellipse equation: (x^2/a^2) + (y^2/b^2) = 1
  5. B

    Conic sections: Can focal points be outside the ellipse?

    Can an ellipse's focal points be outside the ellipse? I have tried googling this, but without any good explanations or answers. According to my calculations, the focal points of the ellipse defined by x^{2} + \frac{y^{2}}{4} = 1 are (-\sqrt{3},0) (\sqrt{3},0)) . I maybe wrong of course...
  6. V

    A circle tranforming into ellipse

    I don't know what category this question falls into. I have two parallel planes, on one I draw a circle and on the other I project it orthogonally. Now I incline the plane with the circle. The projection on the other plane will be an ellipse. I need to find out, the relationship between the...
  7. F

    Deriving the major and minor axis of an ellipse

    1. Deriving the major and minor axis of an ellipse from conjugate diameters pointsCurrent solution: double x1 = Diameter1.X - Center.X; double y1 = Diameter1.Y - Center.Y; double x2 = Diameter2.X - Center.X; double y2 = Diameter2.Y - Center.Y; double xc = (x2 + y1) / 2; double yc = (y2 - x1) /...
  8. D

    Finding equation of osculating circles of ellipse

    Homework Statement Find the equations of the osculating circles of the ellipse 9x^2 + 4y^2 =36 at the points (2,0) and (0,3) Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I honestly have no idea what to do here. This problem is in the chapter relating to curvature and arc length...
  9. F

    How to derive the principal radii of an ellipse

    Hi, dear all, hope your guys allow me to ask this tricky question. Refer to the attachment, i would like to derive the principal radii of an ellipse, the final equation and figure is provided in Stephen Timoshenko Theory of plates and shells 2nd edition. consider the ellipse has form...
  10. P

    How to prove that the sum of two rotating vectors in an ellipse?

    Homework Statement Within the xy-plane, two vectors having lengths P and Q rotate around the z-axis with angular velocities ω and –ω. At t = 0,these vectors have orientations with respect to the x-axis specified by θ1 and θ2. How do I find the orientation of the major axis of the resulting...
  11. M

    Positioning Shape Inside of Ellipse

    In a game I'm developing, I have an ellipse which contains a blue shape inside of it like follows: http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9518/screenshot20120815at938.png In the picture, the curves of the blue shape have the exact same arc as the area of the ellipse that it mirrors. In this...
  12. I

    How Do You Find the Angle Between a Moving Point and a Line in a Vector Space?

    Suppose I have a vector space. There is circle with center at the origin of the vector space. There is also a line L going through the origin at some angle. On the circle is a point moving around the circle at a constant speed. The vector from the center to the point makes some angle with...
  13. H

    Calculating angle of circle to produce given ellipse

    I know I should keeps this short, but I need to explain it a little. So, please have patience with me :) Given a standard ellipse, and its eccentricity and position on screen, is there some clever way of calculating how much a regular circle needs to be tilted in (angles) in a perspective...
  14. Government$

    What Is the Point C for Maximum Area of Triangle ABC with Ellipse Constraints?

    Homework Statement Points are A(-6,2) and B(-3,4) and ellipse 4x^2 + 9y^2 = 72. Point C(x,y) for which triangle ABC has largest area is? Homework Equations Ellipse equations The Attempt at a Solution I don't know even where to start. As far as i am concerned that point can be any...
  15. R

    One planet, two suns, ellipse or hyperbola?

    I've got a nifty java program done which calculates the orbit of a body around a gravity source. The math and physics are all done for a body around a single gravity source and how to figure whether it's an ellipse, parabola, hyperbola or straight line. But now I've got a new problem. If...
  16. G

    Greens Theorem Area of ellipse

    Homework Statement Find the area swept out by the line from the origin to the ellipse x=acos(t) y=asin(t) as t varies from 0 to t_{0} where t_{0} is a constant between 0 and 2\pi Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution so using Greens Theorem in reverse i get A=\frac{1}{2}\oint_{c}...
  17. M

    Circle & Ellipse Intersection: Can you Make Them Touch?

    What does it mean when one says that "A circle and an ellipse with a focus at the circle’s center can touch each other only at the longer axis"? Can't you, by varying the size of the circle, make it intersect the ellipse in a variety of ways? Thanks! :)
  18. H

    MHB Equation of ellipse from directrix and focus

    I'm trying to find the polar equation first, and I learned this today but I forgot a lot of it and we're not allowed to take notes in class (professor says it helps to learn better) so I'm trying to look it up online but it's not much help because I can't find any elementary lessons on polar...
  19. L

    Defining an ellipse with the major axis and a point

    Hello! I'm not sure this is the right place to ask, but i have a huge problem. I have an axis and it's origin, and also a point. I suposed that is enought to describe an ellipse, but how to do so? I want to describe it by having it's center and both it's radius. Some images to ilustrate what I...
  20. C

    Bivariate Normal Distribution, contour ellipse containing given % samples?

    Given a bivariate gaussian distribution, I'm attempting to find the probability p for which the ellipse of all points (x,y) for which P(X = x, Y= y) = p contains a given % of the samples drawn from the distribution. I want the 2d equivalent for the 1 dimensional case: given a normal...
  21. R

    How Do You Derive the Equation of an Ellipse for a Semi-Elliptical Ceiling?

    Homework Statement . 1. a hall that is 10 ft. wide has a ceiling that is a semi-ellipse. the ceiling is 10 ft high at the sides and 12 ft high in the center find its equation with the x-axis horizontal and the origin at the center of the ellipse. Homework Equations x^2/a^2 + y^2/b^2 = 1...
  22. C

    Prove cross-section of elliptic paraboloid is a ellipse

    Homework Statement a elliptic paraboloid is x^2/a^2+y^2/b^2<=(h-z)/h, 0<=z<=h, show that the horizontal cross-section at height z, is an ellipse Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution i don't know how to prove this, i only know that the standard ellipse is...
  23. L

    Find Equation of Conic with Vector & Foci - Ellipse

    Homework Statement Given the vector (6,-15) and foci (6,10) (6,-14), Find the equation of the conic.Homework Equations Vector = <6,-15> (x-h)2/a2 + (y-k)2/b2 = 1 Foci (h+c,k) and (h-c,k) vertices (h+a,k), (h-a,k) The Attempt at a Solution k = 6 h=-2 a=-12 I'm not sure what I'm doing. How do...
  24. T

    Is the circumference of an ellipse equal to 2πa√1-e^2?

    Here is the simple question. When I differentiate the area of a circle, I got the parameter. As the Area is the sum of Circumference. But why cannot I get the circumference of ellipse by differentiate the area with respect to the radius (I set it as the longer side). The answer I got is...
  25. S

    Arc Length of Ellipse, Hard Integral

    Homework Statement Find the arc length of the ellipse or deformed circle. r^2=x^2+(y/β)^2 r=radius β=dilation constant k="random" constant Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I suspect it's impossible but I can't prove that. After working it out I got stuck with these...
  26. S

    Ellipse and Kepler's Law in Polar Coordinates

    Greetings everyone, I am having difficulties grasping the polar form of the ellipse equation, and there seems to be more than one way to express an ellipse in this form, if I am not mistaken. For example on the following webpage http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/301/lectures/node155.html...
  27. J

    Distance from a point on an ellipse to the axis

    Hi, Concerning only the upper right quadrant of an ellipse... I know the distance from the center of the ellipse to the top of the ellipse, (semi-minor axis "b"), is 1000. I know the distance from the center of the ellipse to the side of the ellipse, (semi-major axis "a") is 1732. At the...
  28. S

    Finding The Equation of an Ellipse

    Homework Statement The point P on a circle is transformed into the point P' on a ellipse. The point P is (6,8), and lies on a circle with the equation X^2 + Y^2 = 100. Point P' lies on the same graph after it has been transformed into a ellipse, with the co-ordinates (4,12). (No...
  29. D

    What is the path of the point (x,y) as the painting falls?

    Homework Statement An art museum worker leaves an 8-foot-tall painting leaning against a wall. Later, the top of that painting slides down the wall, and the painting falls to the floor. Use the diagram to find an equation of the path of the point (x,y) as the painting falls. Homework...
  30. H

    Calculate Ellipse based on 4 points

    I need to move an object based on 100 images rotating. The object needs to move in a path that is forming an ellipse when I'm rotating the image based on my gestures. I have 4 points, 2 pairs of opposite points on X/Y axis, on the ellipse but how do I calculate the rest of the points so that...
  31. E

    What is the Correct Formula for the Circumference of an Ellipse?

    all of my work so far is in the picture. I'm stuck on what i should do next.
  32. H

    Tangent Lines to an Ellipse Passing Through an Outside Point

    Homework Statement Find equations of both the tangent lines to the ellipse x2 + 4y2 = 36 that pass through the point (12, 3). Homework Equations The equation of an ellipse is x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1. I converted the given equation to x2/36 + y2/9 = 1 by dividing each value by 36. The...
  33. S

    Directional scaling (of an ellipse)

    Hope this is in the right forum. I apologize in advance for my ignorance and imprecise discussion as I am at a major disadvantage, lacking rich mathematical educational background enjoyed by most here. Background is that I'm curious about calibrating for soft-iron distortion calibration for a...
  34. M

    Finding the Major Axis Angle of an Ellipse Given Rotated Equations

    Homework Statement Prove that the equations x=acos(\theta) and y=bcos(\theta +\delta ) is the equation of an ellipse and what angle does this ellipse's major axis make with the x axis? Homework Equations Equation of an ellipse is x=acos\theta, y=asin\theta Rotation matrix is for a rotation...
  35. V

    Finding the Minor and major axis lenths of an ellipse from conjugate diameters

    Hello, I'm having a problem finding the minor and major axsis lengths of an ellipse from three points, the ellipse's center, and two conjugate end point diameters. I have no problem solving the problem when the conjugate diameters align with the minor and major axsis, but when they don't the...
  36. A

    Ellipse inside a circle - intersection

    Hi everyone. I hope I've found the right place for my first post here. I have a geometry problem which I need to solve for a piece of software I'm writing, and I'm hoping someone might be able to help me. I have a non-rotated ellipse inside a circle, as in this diagram. I know the x and y...
  37. ArcanaNoir

    Set up polar area integral of ellipse

    Homework Statement Set up the integral for the area of the ellipse: \frac{x^2}{a^2} =\frac{y^2}{b^2} \le 1 in polar coordinates. Homework Equations maybe \int_\alpha^\beta \int_a^b f(rcos\theta , rsin \theta ) r \; dr \; d\theta or more likely \int_a^b \frac{1}{2} r^2 \; d\theta The...
  38. G

    Find parametric equation for ellipse

    Homework Statement Find parametric equation for (((x-2)^2)/4)+(((y+1)^2)/9)=1 Homework Equations ((x^2)/(a^2))+((y^2)/(b^2))=1 (ellipse equation)The Attempt at a Solution I tried solving for y which gave me y=(6/(x-2))-1, but that did not work.
  39. M

    Calculating area of an ellipse

    Where did I go wrong? I showed all my work in the paint document... My thought is that I am using the incorrect approx rec and I am guessing that it extends into both the first and second quad, and not just the first quad, as I indicated in my picture.
  40. N

    Need a little help understanding equation for an ellipse

    In the equation \frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1 can someone explain what those a and b are doing? I know they are the x and y intercepts of the graph, but why are we dividing x^2 and y^2 by them? Also, why are they squared? Why not just regular "a" and "b" like in the parabola equation...
  41. 3

    Find Length of Line Segment Connecting Center & Point of Ellipse

    Hello to everyone! I am really desparately trying to find the length of the "radius" of an ellipse.I will explain exactly what I mean by that - its the length of the line segment that connects the center of a particular ellipse with a given point of the same ellipse.All the information I have...
  42. N

    Spot the error (circumference of ellipse)

    Spot the error: The circumference of an ellipse with semi-major axis = 2 and semi-minor axis = 1 (i.e. \left( \frac{x}{2} \right)^2 + y^2 = 1 ) is 4 \pi. Proof: \textrm{circumference} = \iint_{\mathbb R^2}{ \delta \left( \left( \frac{x}{2} \right)^2 + y^2 - 1 \right) } \mathrm d x \mathrm...
  43. L

    Understanding the Ellipse Equation: Cartesian or Polar Coordinates?

    Hi, guys, Is the ellipse equation "x=acost; y=bcost" a Cartesian coordinates equation or a polar coordinates equation? Someone said that it's a transfer from a polar one to a Cartesian one. Need more help on this, thank you very much!
  44. C

    Finding the center of an Ellipse?

    Homework Statement The ellipse 18x^2+2x+y^2=1 has its center at the point (b,c) where b=____ and c=____? Homework Equations x^2/a^2 + y^2/b^2 = 1 The Attempt at a Solution 18x^2+2x+y^2=1 18(x^2+(1/9)x)+y^2=1 18(x^2+(1/9)x+(1/324))+y^2= 1+18(1/324) 18(x+(1/18))^2+y^2=19/18...
  45. P

    Double integral over a region bounded by an ellipse

    Homework Statement Evaluate. ∫∫D x2 dAxy, bounded by 5x2 + 4xy + y2 = 1 Homework Equations ∫∫D H(x,y) dAxy = ∫∫D H(u,v)\frac{\delta(x,y)}{\delta(u,v)}dAuv The Attempt at a Solution So I understand I'm supposed to find a change of variables to transform the ellipse into a circle...
  46. M

    Simple multivariable problem w/ ellipse

    Homework Statement If u=x^3 + 3xy + y^3, determine du/dx on the ellipse 2x^2+3y^2=1 2. The attempt at a solution Imagine I just use partial derivative somehow, but I'm not sure what the question is asking by on the ellipse. I have a feeling its just something simple that I'm...
  47. A

    Green's theorem- integral over an ellipse

    Homework Statement Use Green's theorem to find the integral ∫C (y^2dx+xdy) when C is the following curve (taken counterclockwise): the ellipse x^2/a^2 + y^2/b^2 =1.Homework Equations Green's theorem: ∫C Mdx+Ndy = ∫∫R (∂N/∂x-∂M/∂y)dA The Attempt at a Solution I tried parametrizing the ellipse as...
  48. H

    Two tangent points of two lines from (0,0) to an ellipse

    How do I find the two tangent points of two lines from (0,0) to an ellipse? We have 2 equations, a general ellipse and it differentiated: 1: A*x*x+B*x*y+C*y*y+D*x+E*y+F=0 is an ellipse if B*B-4*A*C<0. Differentiating, 2: 2*A*x+B*x*dy/dx+B*y+2*C*y*dy/dx+D+E*dy/dx=0. If F<0, ellipse not...
  49. M

    Cauchy problem/characteristics method with initial condition on ellipse

    Homework Statement Consider the PDE xu_x + y u_y = 4 u, -\infty < x < \infty, -\infty < y < \infty. Find an explicit solution that satisfies u = 1 on the ellipse 4x^2 + y^2 = 1. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution The characteristic curves are x(t,s) = f_1(s) e^t...
  50. P

    An ellipse fitting into a notch problem.

    Homework Statement I did this one before a few weeks ago but now I can't seem to get the right answer: An elliptical disk is to fit snuggly and squarely into a notch cut into a rectangular plate. The notch is 180 mm wide. If the disk's major axis is 280 mm long and is parallel to the long...
Back
Top