2007-08-14 13:28:35 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
an ellipse has 2 focal points, a circle has one (the center).
the closer the two focal points are together, the more circular the ellipse. As the distance between the foci approach zero, the eccentricity approaches zero, until the ellipse is a circle.
2007-08-14 13:48:18 · answer #1 · answered by davidosterberg1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a measure of how far away from a circle the ellipse is.
An ellipse has two foci (plural of focus before anyone complains). The further apart they are, the greater the eccentricity (i.e. the flatter the ellipse).
If the foci coincide on a single point, the ellipse becomes a circle and the foci are the centre.
2007-08-14 20:34:48 · answer #2 · answered by SV 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a measure of the circularity of an ellipse. As the eccentricity, e, apporaches 0, the ellipse becomes more circular.
If an equation is given in the form:
x²/a² +y²/b² = 1, where b² = a² -c²
then e =c/a
Hope this helps.
FE
2007-08-14 20:43:20 · answer #3 · answered by formeng 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its means that an ellipse doesn't have a centre. instead it has 2 points that define the elipse.
2007-08-14 20:33:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a measurement of how close it is to being a circle.
2007-08-14 20:32:36 · answer #5 · answered by Jake in Indiana 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋