What represents half of the short axis of an ellipse?

The semiminor axis of an ellipse is the line segment that extends from the center of the ellipse to the edge along the shortest diameter, essentially representing half of the short axis. In the context of an ellipse, the shorter axis is perpendicular to the longer one, and the semiminor axis specifically measures this shorter distance from the center to its boundary.

This concept is fundamental in geometry, particularly in defining the properties of ellipses. Understanding the semiminor axis is essential for various applications, including surveying and mapping, where precise measurements of shapes and contours are necessary.