| Revision as of 22:26, 28 March 2004 editPatrick (talk | contribs)Edit filter managers, Administrators68,523 edits from Talk: Also, it is the ratio of the distance between the foci to the major axis. The other formula is useful to, one does not always have foci in mind when picturing an ellipse← Previous edit | Revision as of 20:46, 21 April 2004 edit undo130.64.139.38 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 42: | Line 42: | ||
| Many of history's most brilliant minds have displayed many unusual behaviors and habits, and eccentricity is sometimes thought to be a sign of ]. However, many eccentrics are ]s, rather than geniuses. | Many of history's most brilliant minds have displayed many unusual behaviors and habits, and eccentricity is sometimes thought to be a sign of ]. However, many eccentrics are ]s, rather than geniuses. | ||
| ] says in his philosophical work "''On Liberty''", that the existence of eccentricity within a society is not only ''possible'', it is ''essential''. This ] personage, similar to that described by ], is in fact a great benefit to their society. A society without this is a stagnant society. Is it preferable to remain stagnant, ignorant but happy7 According to the ] of ], it is a crime against oneself. | |||
| '''Extravagance''' is a kind of eccentricity, related to abundance and wastefulness. | '''Extravagance''' is a kind of eccentricity, related to abundance and wastefulness. | ||
Revision as of 20:46, 21 April 2004
Mathematics
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:
- The eccentricity of a circle is zero.
- The eccentricity of an ellipse is greater than zero and less than 1
- The eccentricity of a parabola is 1.
- The eccentricity of a hyperbola is greater than 1.
- The eccentricity of a straight line is infinity.
For any ellipse, where the length of the semi-major axis is a, and where the same of the semi-minor axis is b:
Also, it is the ratio of the distance between the foci to the major axis.
For any hyperbola, where the length of the semi-major axis is a, and where the same of the semi-minor axis is b:
External Links
Mathworld: Eccentricity
Astronomy
In astronomy, the eccentricity of an orbit can be calculated using the formulas above if the shape of the orbit is known.
For example, the eccentricity of the Earth's orbit is 0.0167.
Orbital eccentricity can also be calculated using other methods based on orbital energy and angular momentum.
External Links
World of Physics: Eccentricity
Popular Usage
In popular usage, eccentricity refers to unusual or odd behavior on the part of a person, as opposed to being normal. Eccentric behavior is often considered whimsical or quirky, although it can also be strange and disturbing. American millionaire Howard Hughes, for example was considered to be very eccentric, and stored his urine in glass jars and never cut his hair or nails. Other people may have eccentric taste in clothes, or have eccentric hobbies or collections.
Many of history's most brilliant minds have displayed many unusual behaviors and habits, and eccentricity is sometimes thought to be a sign of genius. However, many eccentrics are cranks, rather than geniuses.
John Stuart Mill says in his philosophical work "On Liberty", that the existence of eccentricity within a society is not only possible, it is essential. This bohemian personage, similar to that described by Rousseau, is in fact a great benefit to their society. A society without this is a stagnant society. Is it preferable to remain stagnant, ignorant but happy7 According to the categorical imperative of Kant, it is a crime against oneself. Extravagance is a kind of eccentricity, related to abundance and wastefulness.