An ellipse is a geometric shape that resembles a flattened circle. It is defined as a curve in which the sum of the distances from any point on the curve to two fixed points (called the foci) is constant.
An ellipse is different from a circle in that it has two foci, while a circle only has one. The shape of an ellipse is also elongated, while a circle is perfectly round.
Confusion about ellipses often arises because they are similar to circles, but have slightly different properties. Additionally, the terminology used to describe ellipses, such as "major axis" and "minor axis," can be confusing.
Ellipses are used in many fields of science, including astronomy, physics, and engineering. They are used to describe the orbits of planets and other celestial bodies, as well as to model the trajectories of satellites and other objects in space.
No, an ellipse cannot have a negative value. The dimensions of an ellipse, such as its major and minor axes, are always positive. However, the orientation of an ellipse can be described as clockwise or counterclockwise, which may be interpreted as negative or positive.