Math Open Reference
| After doing this | Your work should look like this |
|---|---|
| Start with the height and width of the desired ellipse. The two lines are the major and minor axes of the ellipse. The major axis is the longest one. |  |
| 1. With the compass point on the center,
set the compass width to half the width (major axis) of the desired ellipse. (This is called the ellipse semimajor axis). |
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| 2. Move the compass point to one end of the minor axis of the desired ellipse and draw two arcs across the major axis. |  |
| 3. Where these arcs cross the major axis are the foci of the ellipse. Label them F1, F2. |  |
| 4. Put a pin in each end of the major axis (they will be moved later), and tie a string to them so that the string between them is taut. The best way to do this is to push the pin through the string itself if possible, rather than tying a knot. |  |
| 5. Leaving the string attached, move the pins to the focus points F1, F2. Put a pencil point against the string and pull the string taut with the pencil. |  |
| 6. Keeping the string taut, move the pencil in a large arc. The pencil will draw out the desired ellipse. To avoid the string catching on the pins, you may find it better to draw the upper and lower halves of the ellipse separately. |  |
| 7. Done. The ellipse will pass through the four initial points defining the ends of the major and minor axes. |  |