Please help: How do you find the peremeter of an oval

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the perimeter of an oval, specifically in the context of an ellipse. Participants explore the mathematical formulas related to the perimeter and area of ellipses, while also addressing the distinction between ovals and ellipses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests the formula for the perimeter of an oval.
  • Another participant suggests that the perimeter of an ellipse involves a complex infinite series.
  • A participant describes an oval with specific dimensions and mentions the area formula, indicating a desire to find the perimeter as well.
  • There is a reference to the complete elliptic integral of the first kind as a method to calculate the perimeter.
  • A formula for the perimeter of an ellipse is provided, involving an integral expression.
  • Concerns are raised about the difficulty of solving the integral exactly, with a suggestion that it is commonly tabulated in engineering resources.
  • One participant questions whether an oval is actually an ellipse, noting the differences in symmetry and shape.
  • Another participant agrees that an oval is not an ellipse and speculates that the original poster may be referring to an ellipse without knowing the correct term.
  • Links to approximations for the perimeter of an ellipse are shared for further exploration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions and characteristics of ovals versus ellipses. There is no consensus on whether the original poster's description aligns with the mathematical definition of an ellipse.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the integral involved in calculating the perimeter, and there is uncertainty regarding the precise mathematical definition of an oval.

Register
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Please give me the formula.

Your help is appreciated.
Thanx in advanced.
 
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Are you thinking of the perimeter of an ellipse?

As it happens, the formula is some nasty infinite series, if I'm not mistaken.
 
Sorry, I don't know what an ellipse is. I mean an oval with a radius of 20CM horizontally, and 7CM vertically.

I know that the formula to find it's area is:
20 X 7 X 3.14

I know there is a way to find it's perimeter. :p
 
Register said:
Sorry, I don't know what an ellipse is. I mean an oval with a radius of 20CM horizontally, and 7CM vertically.

I know that the formula to find it's area is:
20 X 7 X 3.14

I know there is a way to find it's perimeter. :p

It is.It is called COMPLETE ELLIPTIC INTEGRAL OF THE FIRST KIND OF ANDRE MARIE LEGENDRE.
Do you want the formula,the series exapansion??

Daniel.
 
Yes, please give me the formula. ^_^
 
There you go,for an ellipse of semiaxis "a" and "b" it reads
[tex]I_{ellipse}(a,b)=:4\int_{0}^{+\frac{\pi}{2}} \sqrt{a^{2}\sin^{2}\phi+b^{2}\cos^{2}\phi} d\phi[/tex]

Daniel.
 
Thank you so much. You really helped a lot. ^_^
 
Register said:
Thank you so much. You really helped a lot. ^_^

You're welcome... :smile: I just hope u know you can't solve that integral exactly,doncha??I'm hoping you won't be spending your whole day trying to find the antiderivative and applying the Leibniz-Newton formula...
This integral is tabulated in many engineering books...


Daniel.
 
Register said:
Thank you so much. You really helped a lot. ^_^

Not to be rude, but, I find it that hard to believe considering that you didn't know what an ellipse was.
 
  • #10
Just wondering, is an oval actually an ellipse at all? Since an oval is the shape of an egg, and an egg only has one axis of symmetry (I mean a chicken egg). It's longer on one end, and rounder on the other.
 
  • #11
rachmaninoff said:
Just wondering, is an oval actually an ellipse at all? Since an oval is the shape of an egg, and an egg only has one axis of symmetry (I mean a chicken egg). It's longer on one end, and rounder on the other.

You're right, an oval isn't an ellipse. I've never actually seen a precise mathematical definition of an oval (i.e. I don't know what the general equation of an oval is) but it would certainly not be the same as that of an ellipse.

However in this case I suspect that Register is actually talking about an ellipse and just doesn't know the correct name for it. The area equation given as an example is after all the equation for the area of an ellipse.
 

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