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Re: [Phys-l] elliptical thinking

It's at transcendent moments like this one, that I realize what
an uphill task faces teachers of physics.

After several perfectly respectable treatments on this list, I finally read Bob's
story, and say, "Why yes, of course!". Before that, all was
comparatively dim.

Brian W

At 02:53 PM 7/21/2008, you wrote:
Area of a circle is pi*r^2.

Tilt circle away from you by angle theta and projected area is
pi*r^2 cos(theta), but r cos(theta) is same as the a for
the observed projected ellipse - therefore pi*a*r = pi*a*b.

Bob at PC

Hi Folks --

Quick question:

What's the formula for the area of an ellipse?


Brian Whatcott Altus OK Eureka!