About the denomination of an elliptic arc

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the terminology used to describe the high-curvature and low-curvature arcs of an ellipse. Participants explore whether these arcs have specific names or nomenclature associated with them.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the specific names for the high-curvature and low-curvature arcs of an ellipse.
  • Another participant suggests that the middle of the tightly curved sections are called vertices, but the arcs themselves do not have special names, referring to them as vertex arcs.
  • A later reply humorously speculates on alternative names for the arcs, suggesting "episcopalian" and "dominican," while also noting that the term "nomenclature" might be relevant to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the arcs have specific names, and the discussion includes both a suggestion of terminology and a humorous exploration of alternative names.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not clarify whether the proposed terms are widely accepted or recognized within the mathematical community, leaving the status of the terminology somewhat ambiguous.

lionelwang
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Hi all,

Does anyone know the specific names of the high-curvature arc and the low-curvature arc on an ellipse? Or, do they have special names after all?
Anyone help me figure this out, thank you very much!
Regards.
 
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The middle of the tightly curved bits are called vertices, but the curved bit itself has no special name.
You'd refer to it as a vertex arc.
 
You are of great help, thank you very much!
 
I was wondering if maybe the arcs could be episcopalian and dominican ... but figured that wasn't what you meant :) I think the word you were looking for is "nomenclature".

No worries - have fun.
 

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