Calculate Area of an Oval - Tips & Ideas

  • Thread starter ladil123
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Area
In summary, the conversation revolves around finding the area of an oval shape with known dimensions of width, height, and length. The formula for an ellipse is discussed, but it is not accurate for certain values of height and width. Suggestions are made to calculate the rectangular and curved parts separately, but more information is needed to accurately describe the shape of the curved parts. The conversation ends with a request for a precise description of the shape in order to find a solution.
  • #1
ladil123
45
0
area of an "oval"

Hello

I want to calculate the area under the length "L" of this shape.
W, h and b are known.

I am using the formula for a ellipse, pi*h*L/4 but it is not so good when h gets bigger for instance or when b gets smaller.
When h is small, the calculated area with the elipse equation gets to big, and when h gets larger the calculated area get smaller than it really is..


Any ideas or tips ?
 

Attachments

  • oval.gif
    oval.gif
    1.4 KB · Views: 516
Mathematics news on Phys.org
  • #2


Calculate the rectangular and curved parts separately. The rectangular part's area is Lh. The shape of the curved parts has to be described in better detail.
 
  • #3


you can try with the way mathman said. find out rectangle area by Lh, ellipse area (Pi*(h/2)*b) add both.
 
  • #4


There will still be the left over part between where B ends and the rectangle starts.

Tough question. I am interested to hear a solution!
 
  • #5


Miney said:
There will still be the left over part between where B ends and the rectangle starts.

Tough question. I am interested to hear a solution!

You need to be precise as to shape of the boundary! I cannot tell from the picture the exact shape of the part outside the rectangle.
 
  • #6


even i don't understand the picture. i gave formula just assuming that b starts from the L that is L+2b = W.
 

FAQ: Calculate Area of an Oval - Tips & Ideas

1. How do you calculate the area of an oval?

To calculate the area of an oval, you need to know the length of its major and minor axes. You can then use the formula for the area of an ellipse: A = π * a * b, where a and b are the lengths of the major and minor axes, respectively.

2. What is the difference between an oval and an ellipse?

An oval is a general term used to describe any elongated shape that is curved and closed. An ellipse is a specific type of oval that has two axes of symmetry and follows a specific mathematical formula.

3. Can you use the formula for the area of a circle to calculate the area of an oval?

No, the formula for the area of a circle (A = π * r^2) only applies to circles, which have a constant radius. Ovals have varying radii along their major and minor axes, so the formula for the area of an ellipse must be used.

4. Are there any special tips or tricks for calculating the area of an oval?

One tip is to divide the oval into two semicircles and a rectangle, and then use the formula for the area of a circle and the area of a rectangle to calculate the total area of the oval. Another tip is to use a calculator or computer program to quickly and accurately calculate the area using the formula.

5. How can the area of an oval be useful in real life applications?

The area of an oval can be used in many real life applications, such as calculating the area of an elliptical swimming pool or the surface area of an oval-shaped building. It can also be used in engineering and architecture to determine the amount of material needed for an oval-shaped structure or object.

Back
Top