1. What is Latus Rectum of Ellipse?

The Latus Rectum of an Ellipse is the line segment passing through any of the foci and perpendicular to the major axis whose ends are on the Ellipse. It represents an important geometric property of elliptical shapes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Latus Rectum formula:

Where:

• \( a \) — Semi Major Axis of Ellipse (m)
• \( c \) — Linear Eccentricity of Ellipse (m)

Explanation: The formula calculates the length of the latus rectum based on the semi-major axis and linear eccentricity of the ellipse.

3. Importance of Latus Rectum Calculation

Details: Calculating the latus rectum is important in geometry and engineering applications where elliptical shapes are involved. It helps in understanding the geometric properties and focal characteristics of ellipses.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter Semi Major Axis and Linear Eccentricity in meters. Both values must be positive, and Linear Eccentricity must be less than Semi Major Axis.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the relationship between latus rectum and ellipse parameters?
A: The latus rectum length depends on both the semi-major axis and the linear eccentricity of the ellipse.

Q2: Can the latus rectum be longer than the semi-major axis?
A: No, the latus rectum is always shorter than or equal to the semi-minor axis of the ellipse.

Q3: What happens when linear eccentricity equals zero?
A: When c = 0, the ellipse becomes a circle, and the latus rectum equals the diameter of the circle.

Q4: Are there practical applications of latus rectum calculation?
A: Yes, it's used in optics, astronomy, and engineering where elliptical reflectors or orbits are involved.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact based on the input parameters of the ellipse.