Oval

Oval is a geometric shape that resembles an egg or an ellipse. The term 'oval' is derived from the Latin word 'ovum', which means egg. In geometry, an oval is defined as a curve resembling a squashed circle but, unlike an ellipse, does not have a precise mathematical definition.

Definition

An oval is a closed curve in a plane which "loosely" resembles the outline of an egg. The term is not very specific, but in some areas (projective geometry, technical drawing, etc.) it is given a more precise definition, which may include either one or two axes of symmetry. In common English, the term is used in a broader sense: any shape which reminds one of an egg.

Mathematical properties

In mathematics, an oval is any curve resembling an ellipse or a rectangle rounded at the ends. The precise definition can vary. In some contexts, it is defined as a plane curve that is similar to a circle but elongated along one axis. In other contexts, it is defined as a closed, convex curve that divides the plane into two regions, such that any line through the center of the oval cuts it at most twice.

Uses

Ovals have many uses in the real world, from the shape of racetracks and athletic fields to the design of logos and other graphic elements. They are also used in mathematics and engineering to describe shapes that are not quite circular.

See also

• Ellipse
• Circle
• Geometry
• Convex curve

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