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An illustration showing how to construct an ellipse using circle arcs. "Divide the long axis into three equal parts, draw the two circles, and where they intersect one another are the centers for the tangent arcs of the ellipses as shown by the figure."

Construction Of An Ellipse

An illustration showing how to construct an ellipse using circle arcs. "Divide the long axis into three…

An illustration showing how to construct an ellipse using circle arcs. "Given the two axes, set off the short axis from A to b, divide b into three equal parts, set off two of these parts from o towards c and c which are the centers for the ends of the ellipse. Make equilateral triangles on cc, when ee will be the centers for the sides of the ellipse. If the long axis is more than twice the short one, this construction will not make a good ellipse."

Construction Of An Ellipse

An illustration showing how to construct an ellipse using circle arcs. "Given the two axes, set off…

An illustration showing how to construct an ellipse. Given the two axes, set off half the long axis from c to ff, which will be the two focuses in the ellipse. Divide the long axis into any number of parts, say a to be a division point. Take Aa as radius and f as center and describe a circle arc about b, take aB as radius and f as center describe another circle arc about b, then the intersection b is a point in the ellipse, and so the whole ellipse can be constructed."

Construction Of An Ellipse

An illustration showing how to construct an ellipse. Given the two axes, set off half the long axis…