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title: Area of an Ellipse
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## Area of an Ellipse
An ellipse is a 2D shape defined by a continuous curve and two focus points. The sum of the two distances from the foci to any point on the curve is constant.
#### Terminology
* Foci or focus points - these points are equidistant from the center of the ellipse
* Major axis - the line drawn cutting the ellipse in half and running through both foci
* Minor axis - the line drawn cutting the ellipse in half and running between both foci
##### Formula
Area of ellipse = (π)(1/2)(major axis)(1/2)(minor axis)
##### Example
Given major axis = 2 in, minor axis = 7 in find area of the ellipse.
Area = 1/2 * 2 in * 1/2 * 7 in * π = 11 in2
#### More Information:
* [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipse)
* [Math Is Fun](https://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/ellipse.html)