Definition:Latus Rectum of Ellipse

Definition

Definition 1

A latus rectum of an ellipse $K$ is a chord of $K$ passing through a focus of $K$ perpendicular to the major axis of $K$.

Definition 2

A latus rectum of an ellipse $K$ is a chord of $K$ passing through a focus of $K$ parallel to the directrix of $K$.

Also see

• Equivalence of Definitions of Latus Rectum of Ellipse

• Results about the latus rectum of an ellipse 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.