Definition:Parabola/Latus Rectum
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Definition
Definition 1
The latus rectum of a parabola $P$ is the chord of $P$ passing through the focus of $P$ perpendicular to the axis of $P$.
Definition 2
The latus rectum of a parabola $P$ is the chord of $P$ passing through the focus of $P$ parallel to the directrix $D$.
Also see
- Definition:Focus of Parabola
- Definition:Axis of Parabola
- Definition:Vertex of Parabola
- Definition:Directrix of Parabola
- Results about the latus rectum of a parabola can be found here.
Linguistic Note
The term latus rectum is a compound of the Latin:
- latus, meaning side
- rectum, meaning straight or right, as in straight line or right angle.
Hence it literally means right side or straight side.
Its plural is latera recta.