1. What is Latus Rectum?

The latus rectum of a conic section is the chord parallel to the directrix and passing through the focus. For a parabola, it's equal to four times the focal length (4p).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( p \) — The focal length (distance from vertex to focus)

3. Importance of Latus Rectum

Details: The latus rectum helps define the width of a parabola at the focus level and is important in optics and engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter the value of p (focal length) in the input field and click calculate. The value must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between latus rectum and focal length?
A: The latus rectum is always four times the focal length (4p) for a parabola.

Q2: Does this formula work for all conic sections?
A: No, this specific formula (4p) is only for parabolas. Other conic sections have different latus rectum formulas.

Q3: What are practical applications of latus rectum?
A: It's used in satellite dish design, headlight reflectors, and other parabolic reflector applications.

Q4: How is latus rectum related to the parabola's width?
A: The latus rectum determines the width of the parabola at the level of the focus.

Q5: Can latus rectum be negative?
A: No, since it represents a length, it's always a positive value.