The evolute of an ellipse may be defined in terms of the curvature at a point on the ellipse. Suppose that the ellipse is parameterized by [(r)\vec](t)=áacos(t),bsin(t)ñ, 0 £ t < 2p. The curvature k(t) at [(r)\vec](t) can be evaluated using the standard calculus formula in parametric form
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If one adopts the definition that the evolute is the locus of the centers of the osculating circles, then for the ellipse it is this parametrized curve C(t) as t varies from 0 to 2p. Since the focal distance from the center along the major axis is c = Ö{a2-b2}, the two cusps of the evolute at a distance c2/a=c(c/a) < c < a along that axis must fall short of the foci inside the ellipse, while the other two cusps exit the ellipse along the minor axis when c2/b > b or a > Ö2 b.
FIGURE 3: The center of the osculating circle traces out the evolute of the ellipse.