Conic Sections

Hyperbolas

Definition
The conic section formed by a plane which intersects both of the right conical surfaces Formed when 0 or when the plane is parallel to the axis of the cone

Definition
A hyperbola is the set of all points in the plane where
The difference between the distances From two fixed points (foci) Is a constant

PF2 PF1 k

k 2a

Experiment with definition

Experimenting with Definition

Turn on Explore geometric definition. A purple point will appear on the hyperbola, along with two line segments labeled L1 and L2. Drag the purple point around the hyperbola.

Do the lengths of L1 and L2 change? What do you notice about the absolute value of the differences of the lengths? How do these observations relate to the geometric definition of a hyperbola.

Observe the values of L1, L2, and the difference | L1 L2 | as you vary the values of a and b.
How is the difference | L1 L2 | related to the values of a and/or b? (Hint: Think about multiples.) Determine the difference | L1 L2 | for a hyperbola where a = 3 and b = 4. Use the Gizmo to check your answer.

Elements of An Ellipse
Transverse axis
Line joining the

intercepts

Conjugate axis
Passes through

center, perpendicular to transverse axis

Vertices
Points where hyperbola intersects transverse

axis

Elements of An Ellipse
Transverse Axis
Length = 2a

Foci
Location (-c, 0), (c, 0)

Asymptotes
Experiment with Pythagorean relationship

Equations of An Ellipse
Given equations of ellipse
Centered at origin
Opening right and left Equations of

x y 2 1 2 a b

asymptotes

b y x a

b y x a

Opening up and down

Equations of

y 2 x2 2 1 2 a b
a y x b

asymptotes

a y x b

Try It Out
Find
The center
Vertices Foci Asymptotes

x y 1 25 36

y 2
36
2

x 1
49

4 x 25 y 16 x 50 y 109 0
2

More Trials and Tribulations

Find the equation in standard form of the hyperbola that satisfies the stated conditions.
Vertices at (0, 2) and (0, -2),

foci (0, 3) and (0, -3)

Foci (1, -2) and (7, -2)

slope of an asymptote = 5/4

Assignment
Hyperbola A Exercise set 6.3 Exercises 1 25 odd and 33 45 odd

Conic Sections

Eccentricity of a Hyperbola
The hyperbola can be wide or narrow

Eccentricity of a Hyperbola
As with eccentricity of an ellipse, the formula is

c eccentricity a

Note that for

hyperbolas c > a Thus eccentricity > 1

Try It Out
If the vertices are (1, 6) and (1, 8) and the eccentricity is 5/2
Find the equation (standard form) of the ellipse

The center of the ellipse is at (-3, -3) and the conjugate axis has length 6, and the eccentricity = 2
Find two possible ellipse equations

Application Locating Position

For any point on a hyperbolic curve
Difference between distances to foci is constant.

Result: hyperbolas can be used to locate enemy guns

If the sound of an enemy gun is heard at two listening posts and the difference in time is calculated, then the gun is known to be located on a particular hyperbola. A third listening post will determine a second hyperbola, and then the gun emplacement can be spotted as the intersection of the two hyperbolas.

Application Locating Position

The loran system navigator
equipped with a map that gives curves, called loran lines

of position. Navigators find the time interval between these curves, Narrow down the area that their craft's position is in.

Then switch to a different pair of loran transmitters

Repeat the procedure Find another curve

representing the craft's position.

Construction
Consider a the blue string Keep marker against ruler and with string tight Keep end of ruler on focus F1 , string tied to other end

Graphing a Hyperbola on the TI

As with the ellipse, the hyperbola is not a function Possible to solve for y
Get two expressions Graph each

What happens if it opens right and left?

Graphing a Hyperbola on the TI

Top and bottom of hyperbola branches are graphed separately
As with ellipses

you must

Assignment
Hyperbolas 2 Exercise Set 6.3 Exercises 27 31 odd and 49 63 odd