Eccentricity (mathematics)
In mathematics, the eccentricity, denoted e or, 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 which is not a circle is greater than zero but less than 1.
- The eccentricity of a parabola is 1.
- The eccentricity of a hyperbola is greater than 1.
Furthermore, two conic sections are similar if and only if they have the same eccentricity.
Read more about Eccentricity (mathematics): Definitions, Alternative Names, Notation, Values, Ellipses, Hyperbolas, Quadrics, Celestial Mechanics, Analogous Classifications
Famous quotes containing the word eccentricity:
“Eccentricity has always abounded when and where strength of character has abounded; and the amount of eccentricity in a society has generally been proportional to the amount of genius, mental vigour, and moral courage which it contained.”
—John Stuart Mill (1806–1873)