answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The question is a strange one as the answer depends on the context in which the question is asked. Graphically speaking: A line forming a perfect circle means that given a set point as the centre of the circle, the line will always be the exact same distance from the centre of the circle at any point along the line. An Ellipse on the other hand is a smooth closed curve that is symmetrical about its centre point, or by way of example, two points on the ellipse which are exactly opposite each other across the centre of the ellipse will each be exactly the same distance from the centre. Mathematically speaking, the difference can be defined by the equations (formulae) of each: A perfect Circle will have the equation: (x-a)2 + (y-b)2 = r2 for a circle with: a centre in Cartesian co-ordinates of (a,b)

a radius of r

An Ellipse will have the equation: (x2/a2) + (y2/b2) = 1 for an ellipse with: a maximum value in the X-axis of 'a' (+a or -a)

a maximum value in the Y-axis of 'b' (+b or -b) The essential difference in these equations can be seen if we consider an ellipse and a circle each with a centre of (0,0) in Cartesian co-ordinates. the equation for a circle would become: X2 + Y2 = r we can manipulate this equation by dividing both sides by 'r' to give X2/r + Y2/r = 1 the only difference now between the equation of the ellipse and this equation of a circle is that instead of allowing the 'r' X2/r to be different to the 'r' in Y2/r as in the case of an ellipse, both are kept the same.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How does an ellipse compare with a perfect circle?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is the diameter of a elliptical galaxy?

Variable, as an ellipse is not a perfect circle.


Kepler discovered that the orbit of each planet is an what rather than a perfect circle?

Kepler discovered that the orbit of each planet is an ellipse rather than a perfect circle. The planet with an orbit that is closest to a circle is Venus.


What do you press while dragging out an ellipse in order to get perfect circle?

SHIFT


Astronomer who discovered orbit the sun in an ellipse rather than a perfect circle?

Johannes Keplernewtest3


Is mars orbit elliptical or circular?

A circle is an ellipse, so it's elliptical either way.However, the orbit of Mars is not a perfect circle.


Does the eccentricity E gives us the size of an ellipse?

No, the eccentricity of an ellipse tells us the shape of the ellipse, not its size. The size of an ellipse can be determined by its major and minor axes lengths, or by its area.


Is the earth's orbit around the sun a circle on an ellipse?

The Earth's orbit around the sun is an ellipse, not a perfect circle. This means the distance between the Earth and the sun varies slightly throughout the year, causing the change in seasons. The orbit is slightly elliptical due to gravitational interactions with other celestial bodies and not a perfect circle.


What four shapes have formulas which include the symbol pi?

A circle,An ellipse, A sphere,A normal (Gaussian) distribution.A circle,An ellipse, A sphere,A normal (Gaussian) distribution.A circle,An ellipse, A sphere,A normal (Gaussian) distribution.A circle,An ellipse, A sphere,A normal (Gaussian) distribution.


Is every circle an ellipse?

Yes; the circle is a special case of an ellipse.


What do you call a stretched circle?

An oval. Or an ellipse.


How does ellipse differ from a circle?

ellipse is the shape of an egg


What conic sections describes a closed curve?

An ellipse is a conic section which is a closed curve. A circle is a special case of an ellipse.