Definitions of ellipse terms

foci ("FOE-SIGH")
The two points the sum of whose distances from any point on the ellipse is constant.
focus ("FOE-kuss")
One of the foci.
constant sum
The sum of distances from any point on the ellipse to the two foci.
center
The midpoint of the line segment joining the foci.


formal tour

main concepts page main definitions page main history page main problems page


© 1996-2008 Institute for Studies in Educational Mathematics

Please do not reproduce without permission.

http://www.edmath.org/MATtours/ellipses/

Last updated: 10 June, 2008

MATtours project team led by Larry Copes


The Teaching S!mulatorTM | MATtours Home | ISEM Home