Oval Shape - Meaning, Properties, Construction, Examples - Cuemath

Oval Shape

An oval shape is a 2-D shape that looks like the outline of an egg with no straight lines and vertices. It is a curved figure that has one flat face. In real life, we can see the oval shape in a cricket infield or a speed skating rink, or an athletics track. Let us learn more about the oval shape in this article.

1.	What is an Oval Shape?
2.	Properties of an Oval Shape
3.	Construction of an Oval Shape
4.	FAQs on Oval Shape

What is an Oval Shape?

A two-dimensional (2D) closed figure that resembles an egg is called an oval shape. The term 'oval' is taken from the Latin word 'ovum', which means egg. In other words, an oval shape can be defined as a geometric shape that is similar to the outer boundary of an egg. Observe the following figure which shows an oval shape.

Properties of an Oval Shape

There is no defined shape for an oval in math, but it is easy to differentiate an oval from a given set of figures based on its properties.

• An oval shape is a smooth-looking closed shape and a curved geometrical figure.
• An oval shape has no straight sides.
• It has no corners or vertices like squares or rectangles.
• It has one flat curved face.
• In some cases of an oval shape, a line of symmetry can be observed.
• An oval shape has no fixed distance from the center point to the boundary as in the case of a circle.

Construction of an Oval Shape

There are many ways to draw an oval shape. The first is to simply draw using a rubber band and the second is to construct it with the help of a ruler and a compass.

Constructing an Oval Shape Using a Rubber Band

Follow the steps given below to draw an oval shape with the help of a rubber band (without using a compass).

• Step 1 - Take 2 nails, a pencil, and a rubber band.
• Step 2 - Fix the two nails apart from each other by stretching the rubber band in such a way that it forms a straight line on a piece of paper.
• Step 3 - Now, place the pencil inside the loop of the rubber band and draw an oval shape by stretching the rubber band, keeping the nails fixed in their positions.

Constructing an Oval Shape Using Compass

An oval can be drawn using a compass. Follow the steps and the figure given below to draw an oval shape using a compass.

• Step 1- Using a compass, construct two circles of the same radius touching each other, as shown in the figure.
• Step 2- Join the diameter of both the circles by drawing a straight line and mark the points as A, B, C, D and E as shown.
• Step 3- Change the settings of the compass by measuring the diameter AC of the first circle. Now, go back to the center of the first circle at B.
• Step 4- Construct arcs above and below the line by keeping the compass point first on point B, then on point D. Let the arcs intersect at P and Q as shown.
• Step 5- Now, change the settings of the compass by keeping the compass needle at A and the other end of the compass at D.
• Step 6- Finally, using this compass setting, keep the compass needle on Q and construct the upper half of the oval. Then, keep the compass on P and complete the oval below the line as shown.

Interesting Notes about an Oval Shape

• Oval in a three-dimensional plane is known as ovoid.
• All circles can be considered as ovals but all ovals are not circles.

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