Problem no.

29

What conic section is represented by 4x2-y2+8x+4y=15

A. Parabola B. Ellipse C. Hyperbola D. Circle

Given:

4x2-y2+8x+4y=15

Required:

Type of conic section

Solution:

The general equation for conic section is

Ax2 +Bxy+Cy2+Dx+Ey+F=0

To determine the type of conic section given in the problem

B2−4 AC =0

Substituting the given values,

Where b = 0, a = 4, c = -1

02 −4 ( 4 ) (−1)=16

16> 0

Since the result is greater than zero,

Therefore the answer is Hyperbola

ANSWER: C

Discussion:

In order to classify the conic section you must know first the general equation for the conic
section. After that you may use b^2-4ac to determine the type of the conic section that are given in the
problem. Since the result from the calculation is 16 which is greater than zero it means that the conic
section is a hyperbola.