Ellipse

Ellipses have two foci. The sum of the distances from any point on an ellipse to the foci is always equal. When the two foci of an ellipse share the same position, the ellipse is a circle!

Scroll down to step through the instructions.

01. Take a piece of string or rope and secure its ends in place.

The length of the string or rope will be equal to the major axis of the ellipse you will create.

02. Grab the string or rope at approximately the halfway point and pull it taut.

03. Keeping the string or rope taut, travel around the two foci, marking as you go.

04. You have created an ellipse!