SOLUTION: Hi, could you explain to me what exactly the latus rectum is for? and the formula to find it? Thank you!

Algebra ->  Quadratic-relations-and-conic-sections -> SOLUTION: Hi, could you explain to me what exactly the latus rectum is for? and the formula to find it? Thank you!      Log On


   

Question 778229: Hi, could you explain to me what exactly the latus rectum is for? and the formula to find it? Thank you!
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The lactus rectum of a parabola is the chord through the focus perpendicular to the axis of symmetry. The lactus rectum of an ellipse is one of the chords through a focus that is perpendicular to the major axis.