A well-meaning senior citizen once erroneously contended that a "perfect oval" could only be constructed with a straight edge and a pair of compasses.

The theoretical construction that he described so very closely approximates the ellipse given by the equation: (x^2)/16 + (y^2)/9 = 1.

Required:
1. Emulate such a construction
2. Suggest the difference in area of these two entities if this construction and an ellipse representing the above equation are drawn at the same scale (let them share a common major radial length).

To my knowledge, oval and ellipse refer to the same thing, ellipse being the 'technical' term.

(In reply to Solution by Bractals)

Bractals, this is a much more elegant construction than I had in mind.
And the error is in fact less than what I am proposing.

I shall wait awhile to see if someone can come up with my simple version before I release my solution.

Edited on November 29, 2006, 7:11 pm

Posted by brianjn on 2006-11-19 19:16:20