draw a PERFECT ellipse with a string and two nails

It’s easy to draw a perfect circle with a compass, but how about if you wanted to make a table that was an elliptical shape. In this video I’ll show you how to make a perfect lips with a string and two nails. You can also use two thumbtacks. By changing the string size or the distance of the nails you can change the ellipse shape. It’s a very simple technique and once you know how to do it you’ll use it a lot.

[PENFOLD]

The BEST video on this subject, thank you.

[mechanicalman]

Dude. I’m a finish carpenter and the only reason I’m here is because I forgot the method of determining layout dimensions. Without that it’s just a cute YouTube trick. Thanks.

[neilthomason]

Thanks 🙏. Two minutes, no messing about. Appreciate you taking the time.

[muhammadusmankhan]

I knew this method in 1988 when I started my first year engineering. Same explanation was given in the book by Thomas Finney (calculus and analytic geometry).

[brandynamite]

This is also a good demostration for kepler's second law

[kenjineered]

Thanks for a great video. I think you can calculate the distance from the centre to each nail (c) to give you the dimensions you want, using the formula c^2 = a^2 − b^2, where a is the distance from the centre to the vertex (pointy end), and b is the distance from the centre to the co-vertex (side).

[nandiniagarwal]

I needed this one exactly... This is useful in my gravitation chapter.😅🥰

[mrbrown]

I feel bad for that table.
Excellent summary, sir.
Thank you.

[AB-nbic]

Great, as long as the dimensions don't matter 🤷

How do you use this method for a specific height and width?

[ShaneHolly]

This would be a good video if u show how to make the specific size you need rather than just a random elipse

[budaloops]

Wow I’m interested in your string tool. Can you adjust the loop size like a lasso? I would like a flexible string tool like this to draw curves on paper and construct a logo design

[manojinfo]

Yap I needed this right now to draw an elecptical arch

[georgevarghese]

Thanks for the video that I was looking for.

[mehranashkanian]

How far the nails must be apart to enable me to draw an eclipse at 60 cm length and 45 cm width ?

[josepachecosr]

How do you figure out the size is the string and where to place the nails?

[dishsoap]

I’m three years late but thank you for this video, vary helpful

[mrbrown]

Why does that special string
have a washer and nail tied to it?
Looks like a neck string I made as a kid.
We had little trinkets hanging from
our necks for some reason I cannot recall.
Anyway....
thanks.

[armandojmoreno]

Use a non-elastic string, like a fishing line. --- That's why your lines don't meet.

[GregorShapiro]

It would be nice if you gave some info on the properties of ellipses. Such as the two focii, that this is the shape of the orbits of celestial bodies (including the Earth around the Sun) etc.

[tapu_]

Just used this exact thing to solve a math question