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* The eccentricity of a ] is 1. * The eccentricity of a ] is 1.
* The eccentricity of a ] is greater than 1. * The eccentricity of a ] is greater than 1.
* The eccentricity of a ] is ].


To calculate the eccentricity of any ellipse, measure the semi-major axis and call it ''a''. Measure the semi-minor axis and call that measurement ''b''. Now: To calculate the eccentricity of any ellipse, measure the semi-major axis and call it ''a''. Measure the semi-minor axis and call that measurement ''b''. Now:

Revision as of 23:27, 8 December 2002

In mathematics, eccentricity is a parameter associated with every conic section. It can be thought of as a measure of how much the conic section deviates from being circular. In particular:

To calculate the eccentricity of any ellipse, measure the semi-major axis and call it a. Measure the semi-minor axis and call that measurement b. Now:

eccentricity = e = √( 1 - b/a)

where √ is the square root sign. In astronomy, the eccentricity of an orbit can be calculated using this formula.


In popular usage, eccentricity refers to unusual or odd behavior on the part of a person.