Ellipses¶

class sympy.geometry.ellipse.Ellipse[source]¶

An elliptical GeometryEntity.

Parameters

center : Point, optional

Default value is Point(0, 0)

hradius : number or SymPy expression, optional

vradius : number or SymPy expression, optional

eccentricity : number or SymPy expression, optional

Two of \(hradius\), \(vradius\) and \(eccentricity\) must be supplied to create an Ellipse. The third is derived from the two supplied.

Raises

GeometryError

When \(hradius\), \(vradius\) and \(eccentricity\) are incorrectly supplied as parameters.

TypeError

When \(center\) is not a Point.

Notes

Constructed from a center and two radii, the first being the horizontal radius (along the x-axis) and the second being the vertical radius (along the y-axis).

When symbolic value for hradius and vradius are used, any calculation that refers to the foci or the major or minor axis will assume that the ellipse has its major radius on the x-axis. If this is not true then a manual rotation is necessary.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Ellipse, Point, Rational
>>> e1 = Ellipse(Point(0, 0), 5, 1)
>>> e1.hradius, e1.vradius
(5, 1)
>>> e2 = Ellipse(Point(3, 1), hradius=3, eccentricity=Rational(4, 5))
>>> e2
Ellipse(Point2D(3, 1), 3, 9/5)

See also

Circle

Attributes

center
hradius
vradius
area
circumference
eccentricity
periapsis
apoapsis
focus_distance
foci

apoapsis¶

The apoapsis of the ellipse.

The greatest distance between the focus and the contour.

Returns: apoapsis : number

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.apoapsis
2*sqrt(2) + 3

See also

periapsis: Returns shortest distance between foci and contour

arbitrary_point(parameter='t')[source]¶

A parameterized point on the ellipse.

Parameters: parameter : str, optional

Default value is ‘t’.
Returns: arbitrary_point : Point
Raises: ValueError

When \(parameter\) already appears in the functions.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> e1 = Ellipse(Point(0, 0), 3, 2)
>>> e1.arbitrary_point()
Point2D(3*cos(t), 2*sin(t))

See also

sympy.geometry.point.Point

area¶

The area of the ellipse.

Returns: area : number

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.area
3*pi

auxiliary_circle()[source]¶

Returns a Circle whose diameter is the major axis of the ellipse.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Circle, Ellipse, Point, symbols
>>> c = Point(1, 2)
>>> Ellipse(c, 8, 7).auxiliary_circle()
Circle(Point2D(1, 2), 8)
>>> a, b = symbols('a b')
>>> Ellipse(c, a, b).auxiliary_circle()
Circle(Point2D(1, 2), Max(a, b))

bounds¶: Return a tuple (xmin, ymin, xmax, ymax) representing the bounding rectangle for the geometric figure.

center¶

The center of the ellipse.

Returns: center : number

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.center
Point2D(0, 0)

See also

sympy.geometry.point.Point

circumference¶

The circumference of the ellipse.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.circumference
12*elliptic_e(8/9)

eccentricity¶

The eccentricity of the ellipse.

Returns: eccentricity : number

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse, sqrt
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, sqrt(2))
>>> e1.eccentricity
sqrt(7)/3

encloses_point(p)[source]¶

Return True if p is enclosed by (is inside of) self.

Parameters: p : Point
Returns: encloses_point : True, False or None

Notes

Being on the border of self is considered False.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Ellipse, S
>>> from sympy.abc import t
>>> e = Ellipse((0, 0), 3, 2)
>>> e.encloses_point((0, 0))
True
>>> e.encloses_point(e.arbitrary_point(t).subs(t, S.Half))
False
>>> e.encloses_point((4, 0))
False

See also

sympy.geometry.point.Point

equation(x='x', y='y', _slope=None)[source]¶

Returns the equation of an ellipse aligned with the x and y axes; when slope is given, the equation returned corresponds to an ellipse with a major axis having that slope.

Parameters

x : str, optional

Label for the x-axis. Default value is ‘x’.

y : str, optional

Label for the y-axis. Default value is ‘y’.

_slope : Expr, optional

The slope of the major axis. Ignored when ‘None’.

Returns

equation : sympy expression

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse, pi
>>> from sympy.abc import x, y
>>> e1 = Ellipse(Point(1, 0), 3, 2)
>>> eq1 = e1.equation(x, y); eq1
y**2/4 + (x/3 - 1/3)**2 - 1
>>> eq2 = e1.equation(x, y, _slope=1); eq2
(-x + y + 1)**2/8 + (x + y - 1)**2/18 - 1

A point on e1 satisfies eq1. Let’s use one on the x-axis:

>>> p1 = e1.center + Point(e1.major, 0)
>>> assert eq1.subs(x, p1.x).subs(y, p1.y) == 0

When rotated the same as the rotated ellipse, about the center point of the ellipse, it will satisfy the rotated ellipse’s equation, too:

>>> r1 = p1.rotate(pi/4, e1.center)
>>> assert eq2.subs(x, r1.x).subs(y, r1.y) == 0

See also

arbitrary_point: Returns parameterized point on ellipse

References

R431: https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/108270/what-is-the-equation-of-an-ellipse-that-is-not-aligned-with-the-axis
R432: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipse#Equation_of_a_shifted_ellipse

evolute(x='x', y='y')[source]¶

The equation of evolute of the ellipse.

Parameters

x : str, optional

Label for the x-axis. Default value is ‘x’.

y : str, optional

Label for the y-axis. Default value is ‘y’.

Returns

equation : sympy expression

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> e1 = Ellipse(Point(1, 0), 3, 2)
>>> e1.evolute()
2**(2/3)*y**(2/3) + (3*x - 3)**(2/3) - 5**(2/3)

foci¶

The foci of the ellipse.

Raises: ValueError

When the major and minor axis cannot be determined.

Notes

The foci can only be calculated if the major/minor axes are known.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.foci
(Point2D(-2*sqrt(2), 0), Point2D(2*sqrt(2), 0))

See also

sympy.geometry.point.Point

focus_distance: Returns the distance between focus and center

focus_distance¶

The focal distance of the ellipse.

The distance between the center and one focus.

Returns: focus_distance : number

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.focus_distance
2*sqrt(2)

See also

foci

hradius¶

The horizontal radius of the ellipse.

Returns: hradius : number

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.hradius
3

See also

vradius, major, minor

intersection(o)[source]¶

The intersection of this ellipse and another geometrical entity \(o\).

Parameters: o : GeometryEntity
Returns: intersection : list of GeometryEntity objects

Notes

Currently supports intersections with Point, Line, Segment, Ray, Circle and Ellipse types.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Ellipse, Point, Line, sqrt
>>> e = Ellipse(Point(0, 0), 5, 7)
>>> e.intersection(Point(0, 0))
[]
>>> e.intersection(Point(5, 0))
[Point2D(5, 0)]
>>> e.intersection(Line(Point(0,0), Point(0, 1)))
[Point2D(0, -7), Point2D(0, 7)]
>>> e.intersection(Line(Point(5,0), Point(5, 1)))
[Point2D(5, 0)]
>>> e.intersection(Line(Point(6,0), Point(6, 1)))
[]
>>> e = Ellipse(Point(-1, 0), 4, 3)
>>> e.intersection(Ellipse(Point(1, 0), 4, 3))
[Point2D(0, -3*sqrt(15)/4), Point2D(0, 3*sqrt(15)/4)]
>>> e.intersection(Ellipse(Point(5, 0), 4, 3))
[Point2D(2, -3*sqrt(7)/4), Point2D(2, 3*sqrt(7)/4)]
>>> e.intersection(Ellipse(Point(100500, 0), 4, 3))
[]
>>> e.intersection(Ellipse(Point(0, 0), 3, 4))
[Point2D(3, 0), Point2D(-363/175, -48*sqrt(111)/175), Point2D(-363/175, 48*sqrt(111)/175)]
>>> e.intersection(Ellipse(Point(-1, 0), 3, 4))
[Point2D(-17/5, -12/5), Point2D(-17/5, 12/5), Point2D(7/5, -12/5), Point2D(7/5, 12/5)]

See also

sympy.geometry.entity.GeometryEntity

is_tangent(o)[source]¶

Is \(o\) tangent to the ellipse?

Parameters: o : GeometryEntity

An Ellipse, LinearEntity or Polygon
Returns: is_tangent: boolean

True if o is tangent to the ellipse, False otherwise.
Raises: NotImplementedError

When the wrong type of argument is supplied.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse, Line
>>> p0, p1, p2 = Point(0, 0), Point(3, 0), Point(3, 3)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p0, 3, 2)
>>> l1 = Line(p1, p2)
>>> e1.is_tangent(l1)
True

See also

tangent_lines

major¶

Longer axis of the ellipse (if it can be determined) else hradius.

Returns: major : number or expression

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse, Symbol
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.major
3

>>> a = Symbol('a')
>>> b = Symbol('b')
>>> Ellipse(p1, a, b).major
a
>>> Ellipse(p1, b, a).major
b

>>> m = Symbol('m')
>>> M = m + 1
>>> Ellipse(p1, m, M).major
m + 1

See also

hradius, vradius, minor

minor¶

Shorter axis of the ellipse (if it can be determined) else vradius.

Returns: minor : number or expression

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse, Symbol
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.minor
1

>>> a = Symbol('a')
>>> b = Symbol('b')
>>> Ellipse(p1, a, b).minor
b
>>> Ellipse(p1, b, a).minor
a

>>> m = Symbol('m')
>>> M = m + 1
>>> Ellipse(p1, m, M).minor
m

See also

hradius, vradius, major

normal_lines(p, prec=None)[source]¶

Normal lines between \(p\) and the ellipse.

Parameters: p : Point
Returns: normal_lines : list with 1, 2 or 4 Lines

Examples

>>> from sympy import Line, Point, Ellipse
>>> e = Ellipse((0, 0), 2, 3)
>>> c = e.center
>>> e.normal_lines(c + Point(1, 0))
[Line2D(Point2D(0, 0), Point2D(1, 0))]
>>> e.normal_lines(c)
[Line2D(Point2D(0, 0), Point2D(0, 1)), Line2D(Point2D(0, 0), Point2D(1, 0))]

Off-axis points require the solution of a quartic equation. This often leads to very large expressions that may be of little practical use. An approximate solution of \(prec\) digits can be obtained by passing in the desired value:

>>> e.normal_lines((3, 3), prec=2)
[Line2D(Point2D(-0.81, -2.7), Point2D(0.19, -1.2)),
Line2D(Point2D(1.5, -2.0), Point2D(2.5, -2.7))]

Whereas the above solution has an operation count of 12, the exact solution has an operation count of 2020.

periapsis¶

The periapsis of the ellipse.

The shortest distance between the focus and the contour.

Returns: periapsis : number

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.periapsis
3 - 2*sqrt(2)

See also

apoapsis: Returns greatest distance between focus and contour

plot_interval(parameter='t')[source]¶

The plot interval for the default geometric plot of the Ellipse.

Parameters: parameter : str, optional

Default value is ‘t’.
Returns: plot_interval : list

[parameter, lower_bound, upper_bound]

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> e1 = Ellipse(Point(0, 0), 3, 2)
>>> e1.plot_interval()
[t, -pi, pi]

random_point(seed=None)[source]¶

A random point on the ellipse.

Returns: point : Point

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse, Segment
>>> e1 = Ellipse(Point(0, 0), 3, 2)
>>> e1.random_point() # gives some random point
Point2D(...)
>>> p1 = e1.random_point(seed=0); p1.n(2)
Point2D(2.1, 1.4)

Notes

When creating a random point, one may simply replace the parameter with a random number. When doing so, however, the random number should be made a Rational or else the point may not test as being in the ellipse:

>>> from sympy.abc import t
>>> from sympy import Rational
>>> arb = e1.arbitrary_point(t); arb
Point2D(3*cos(t), 2*sin(t))
>>> arb.subs(t, .1) in e1
False
>>> arb.subs(t, Rational(.1)) in e1
True
>>> arb.subs(t, Rational('.1')) in e1
True

See also

sympy.geometry.point.Point

arbitrary_point: Returns parameterized point on ellipse

reflect(line)[source]¶

Override GeometryEntity.reflect since the radius is not a GeometryEntity.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Circle, Line
>>> Circle((0, 1), 1).reflect(Line((0, 0), (1, 1)))
Circle(Point2D(1, 0), -1)
>>> from sympy import Ellipse, Line, Point
>>> Ellipse(Point(3, 4), 1, 3).reflect(Line(Point(0, -4), Point(5, 0)))
Traceback (most recent call last):
...
NotImplementedError:
General Ellipse is not supported but the equation of the reflected
Ellipse is given by the zeros of: f(x, y) = (9*x/41 + 40*y/41 +
37/41)**2 + (40*x/123 - 3*y/41 - 364/123)**2 - 1

Notes

Until the general ellipse (with no axis parallel to the x-axis) is supported a NotImplemented error is raised and the equation whose zeros define the rotated ellipse is given.

rotate(angle=0, pt=None)[source]¶

Rotate angle radians counterclockwise about Point pt.

Note: since the general ellipse is not supported, only rotations that are integer multiples of pi/2 are allowed.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Ellipse, pi
>>> Ellipse((1, 0), 2, 1).rotate(pi/2)
Ellipse(Point2D(0, 1), 1, 2)
>>> Ellipse((1, 0), 2, 1).rotate(pi)
Ellipse(Point2D(-1, 0), 2, 1)

scale(x=1, y=1, pt=None)[source]¶

Override GeometryEntity.scale since it is the major and minor axes which must be scaled and they are not GeometryEntities.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Ellipse
>>> Ellipse((0, 0), 2, 1).scale(2, 4)
Circle(Point2D(0, 0), 4)
>>> Ellipse((0, 0), 2, 1).scale(2)
Ellipse(Point2D(0, 0), 4, 1)

second_moment_of_area(point=None)[source]¶

Returns the second moment and product moment area of an ellipse.

Parameters: point : Point, two-tuple of sympifiable objects, or None(default=None)

point is the point about which second moment of area is to be found. If “point=None” it will be calculated about the axis passing through the centroid of the ellipse.
Returns: I_xx, I_yy, I_xy : number or sympy expression

I_xx, I_yy are second moment of area of an ellise. I_xy is product moment of area of an ellipse.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.second_moment_of_area()
(3*pi/4, 27*pi/4, 0)

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_second_moments_of_area

semilatus_rectum¶

Calculates the semi-latus rectum of the Ellipse.

Semi-latus rectum is defined as one half of the the chord through a focus parallel to the conic section directrix of a conic section.

Returns: semilatus_rectum : number

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.semilatus_rectum
1/3

See also

apoapsis: Returns greatest distance between focus and contour
periapsis: The shortest distance between the focus and the contour

References

[1] http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SemilatusRectum.html [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipse#Semi-latus_rectum

tangent_lines(p)[source]¶

Tangent lines between \(p\) and the ellipse.

If \(p\) is on the ellipse, returns the tangent line through point \(p\). Otherwise, returns the tangent line(s) from \(p\) to the ellipse, or None if no tangent line is possible (e.g., \(p\) inside ellipse).

Parameters: p : Point
Returns: tangent_lines : list with 1 or 2 Lines
Raises: NotImplementedError

Can only find tangent lines for a point, \(p\), on the ellipse.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> e1 = Ellipse(Point(0, 0), 3, 2)
>>> e1.tangent_lines(Point(3, 0))
[Line2D(Point2D(3, 0), Point2D(3, -12))]

vradius¶

The vertical radius of the ellipse.

Returns: vradius : number

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Ellipse
>>> p1 = Point(0, 0)
>>> e1 = Ellipse(p1, 3, 1)
>>> e1.vradius
1

See also

hradius, major, minor

class sympy.geometry.ellipse.Circle[source]¶

A circle in space.

Constructed simply from a center and a radius, from three non-collinear points, or the equation of a circle.

Parameters

center : Point

radius : number or sympy expression

points : sequence of three Points

equation : equation of a circle

Raises

GeometryError

When the given equation is not that of a circle. When trying to construct circle from incorrect parameters.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Eq
>>> from sympy.geometry import Point, Circle
>>> from sympy.abc import x, y, a, b

A circle constructed from a center and radius:

>>> c1 = Circle(Point(0, 0), 5)
>>> c1.hradius, c1.vradius, c1.radius
(5, 5, 5)

A circle constructed from three points:

>>> c2 = Circle(Point(0, 0), Point(1, 1), Point(1, 0))
>>> c2.hradius, c2.vradius, c2.radius, c2.center
(sqrt(2)/2, sqrt(2)/2, sqrt(2)/2, Point2D(1/2, 1/2))

A circle can be constructed from an equation in the form \(a*x**2 + by**2 + gx + hy + c = 0\), too:

>>> Circle(x**2 + y**2 - 25)
Circle(Point2D(0, 0), 5)

If the variables corresponding to x and y are named something else, their name or symbol can be supplied:

>>> Circle(Eq(a**2 + b**2, 25), x='a', y=b)
Circle(Point2D(0, 0), 5)

See also

Ellipse, sympy.geometry.point.Point

Attributes

radius (synonymous with hradius, vradius, major and minor)
circumference
equation

circumference¶

The circumference of the circle.

Returns: circumference : number or SymPy expression

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Circle
>>> c1 = Circle(Point(3, 4), 6)
>>> c1.circumference
12*pi

equation(x='x', y='y')[source]¶

The equation of the circle.

Parameters

x : str or Symbol, optional

Default value is ‘x’.

y : str or Symbol, optional

Default value is ‘y’.

Returns

equation : SymPy expression

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Circle
>>> c1 = Circle(Point(0, 0), 5)
>>> c1.equation()
x**2 + y**2 - 25

intersection(o)[source]¶

The intersection of this circle with another geometrical entity.

Parameters: o : GeometryEntity
Returns: intersection : list of GeometryEntities

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Circle, Line, Ray
>>> p1, p2, p3 = Point(0, 0), Point(5, 5), Point(6, 0)
>>> p4 = Point(5, 0)
>>> c1 = Circle(p1, 5)
>>> c1.intersection(p2)
[]
>>> c1.intersection(p4)
[Point2D(5, 0)]
>>> c1.intersection(Ray(p1, p2))
[Point2D(5*sqrt(2)/2, 5*sqrt(2)/2)]
>>> c1.intersection(Line(p2, p3))
[]

radius¶

The radius of the circle.

Returns: radius : number or sympy expression

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Circle
>>> c1 = Circle(Point(3, 4), 6)
>>> c1.radius
6

reflect(line)[source]¶

Override GeometryEntity.reflect since the radius is not a GeometryEntity.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Circle, Line
>>> Circle((0, 1), 1).reflect(Line((0, 0), (1, 1)))
Circle(Point2D(1, 0), -1)

scale(x=1, y=1, pt=None)[source]¶

Override GeometryEntity.scale since the radius is not a GeometryEntity.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Circle
>>> Circle((0, 0), 1).scale(2, 2)
Circle(Point2D(0, 0), 2)
>>> Circle((0, 0), 1).scale(2, 4)
Ellipse(Point2D(0, 0), 2, 4)

vradius¶

This Ellipse property is an alias for the Circle’s radius.

Whereas hradius, major and minor can use Ellipse’s conventions, the vradius does not exist for a circle. It is always a positive value in order that the Circle, like Polygons, will have an area that can be positive or negative as determined by the sign of the hradius.

Examples

>>> from sympy import Point, Circle
>>> c1 = Circle(Point(3, 4), 6)
>>> c1.vradius
6

Ellipses¶

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