Ellipse Calculator
Calculate area, circumference, foci, and other properties of an ellipse.
Area:
47.12 square units
Circumference:
25.13 units
Eccentricity:
0.8
Foci Distance:
4 units
Understanding Ellipses
An ellipse is a curved shape where the sum of the distances from any point on the curve to two fixed points (called foci) is constant. This unique property makes ellipses essential in various applications, from planetary orbits to architecture.
Key Properties
- Semi-major axis (a): The longest radius from the center to the edge
- Semi-minor axis (b): The shortest radius from the center to the edge
- Center point (h,k): The point at which the axes intersect
- Foci: Two points that define the ellipse's shape
Common Applications
Ellipses are found throughout nature and technology:
- Planetary orbits follow elliptical paths around the sun
- Sound waves in elliptical rooms focus at specific points
- Medical imaging devices use elliptical reflectors
- Architectural elements often incorporate elliptical shapes