Conic Sections

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingEntry for encyclopedia/dictionarypeer-review

Abstract

Conic sections are curves obtained by cutting a cone with a plane which does not pass through the vertex of the cone. The principal conic sections are the parabola, the hyperbola, and ellipse. The circle can also be obtained as a conic section, but, in Greek mathematics, the circle is usually defined by simpler means. Conic sections were studied intensely throughout the Hellenistic period, but particularly by Apollonios of Perge, whose work Conics stands as one of the great works of all Greek mathematics.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Encyclopedia of Ancient History
EditorsAndrew Erskine
PublisherWiley Online Library
Pages1-3
Number of pages3
ISBN (Electronic)9781444338386
ISBN (Print)9781405179355
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2019

Keywords

  • ancient Greek
  • Hellenistic period
  • history of science
  • intellectual history
  • medicine and technology
  • science

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