32

The ElliDse.
the transverse and conjugate axes; join the ends of the axes in
one of the quarters by a diagonal; and set-off a number of points
on this diagonal. Through these points draw straight lines from
the opposite angle, and also parallels to the longitudinal axis.
Now join the points thus obtained on the outside of the quarters
in the way shown in the figure; and transfer these lines to the
remaining three quarters; and a series of tangents will be obtained,
within which the ellipse can be drawn by hand.
5. Constructions by means of two Circles.
With the centre of the Ellipse as a centre describe two circles
passing through the ends of the transverse and conjugate axes
respectively; draw a number of diameters through two opposite
quadrants; where these diameters cut the smaller circle, draw
parallels to the longitudinal axis; and where they cut the greater
circle, parallels to the transverse axis (or vice versa); the points
of the parallels will then be points on the ellipse. The other
points required may be obtained by producing the parallels into
the remaining quadi-ants. This construction may be specially re-
commended for practical use.
6. Practical construction on a larger scale (centres, garden-beds, &c.).
Mark the two foci by nails, posts, &c.; place round them a
cord equal in length to the transverse axis plus the distance
between the foci, and tied at both ends; stretch the cord tense,
by means of a pencil, and let the latter run round the foci: the
resulting figure will be an Ellipse.
712. Several constructions for Ellipsoids.
In constructions 7

9 the length of the transverse axis has a

definite, invariable proportion to that of the conjugate axis, so
that when the one is given the other immediately follows. In
constructions 1012
the length of each axis is variable. The
point of junction of two circles of different diameter must lie on
the same straight line as the centres of the two circles.
7.
Describe two circles each of which passes through the centre of
the other. Join the centres with the points of intersection of the
circles: the straight lines so formed will mark-off the four arcs
of which, as the figure shows, the Ellipsoid is composed. The centre
points are marked by small dots.
8. Describe two circles touching each other, and with the point of
contact as centre, describe a third circle of the same diameter.
These three circles cut each other in four points. Join these to
the external centres as shown on the figure; and the resulting
four straight lines will again mark-off the four arcs which are
then to be described from the points indicated by the small dots.
9. Construct two squares, having one side in common, and in them
describe the four diagonals; these will then mark-off the four arcs
which must then be drawn from the points denoted by small
dots.
10. Construct a rectangle with sides equal to the transverse and
longitudinal axes respectively; draw the two transversals (the
transverse and longitudinal axes) and join their ends in one of
ihe quarters. Cut-off from this line, beginning from the point of
junction with the conjugate axis, the difference of half the trans-
verse and half the conjugate axis ; on the centre point of the re-
maining piece draw a perpendicular and the three more similar
lines; these four lines will then show the limits of the arcs which
are then to be drawn from the points marked by small dots.