Definition:Order of Curve

Definition

Let $\CC$ be a curve embedded in the plane.

The order of $\CC$ is the number of intersections between $\CC$ and an arbitrary straight line.

This includes real, repeated and imaginary points.

Sources

• 1933: D.M.Y. Sommerville: Analytical Conics (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {IV}$. The Ellipse: $1 \text a$. Focal properties