NOTE

M A T H E M A T I C S

HYPERBOLA
SPECIAL RECTANGULAR HYPERBOLA AND
PROPERTIES OF HYPERBOLA

What you already know What you will learn

• Director circle • Rectangular hyperbola

• Chord joining two points • Rectangular hyperbola referred to
• Chord with a given midpoint its asymptotes as the axes of the
coordinates
• Equation of normal to a hyperbola
• Terms related to hyperbola
(a) Point form
(b) Parametric form
(c) Slope form
• Asymptotes

2 y2
1. Equation of the director circle for the hyperbola, x2 - 2 = 1 is the following:
a b
x + y = a - b = (√a - b ) , where a > b and r = √a2 - b2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 y2
2. Equation of the director circle for the vertical hyperbola, x2 - 2 = -1 is the following:
a b
x2 + y2 = b2 - a2
3. Point form: The equation of normal to hyperbola S = 0 at P(x1, y1) is
a2x + b2y = a2 + b2
x1 y1
4. Slope form: The equation of normal to hyperbola S = 0, whose slope is m is the

following; y = mx ±
(a2 + b2)m
√a - b m
2 2 2
( )
, where m ∈ -a , a
b b
5. P arametric form: The equation of normal to hyperbola S = 0 at P(θ) is the
by
following: ax + = a2 + b2
sec θ tan θ
()
2 y2 2 y2
6. T he asymptotes of horizontal hyperbola H: x2 - 2 = 1 are y = ± b x or A: x2 - 2 = 0
a b a a b

()
2 y 2 2 y2
7. The asymptotes of conjugate hyperbola C: x2 - 2 = -1 are y = ± b x or A: x2 - 2 = 0
a b a a b

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Rectangular Hyperbola

If the lengths of the transverse axis and

2 y2
conjugate axis of a hyperbola, x2 - 2 = 1,
a b
are equal, then it is known as a
rectangular(equilateral) hyperbola, i.e.,
2a = 2b ⇒ a = b
The equation of a rectangular hyperbola in the
Y
standard form is as follows:
y = -x y=x
Case I: x2 - y2 = a2 and e = √2, and the pair of
asymptotes are given by y = x and y = -x
Case II: x2 - y2 = -a2 and e = √2, and the pair of
asymptotes are given by y = x and y = -x
(a) The equation of a pair of asymptotes is given
by x2 - y2 = 0, where both y = x and y = -x are X
equally inclined with the coordinate axes.
(b) Both of them intersect at the origin, which is
also the centre of both the hyperbolas.
(c) A
 lso, they are mutually perpendicular to each
other.
Deduction: For a hyperbola to be a rectangular
hyperbola, both its asymptotes should not just
intersect at the centre but also be mutually
perpendicular to each other.
The given deduction will help us generate new
rectangular hyperbolas other than the ones in
cases I and II.

Rectangular hyperbola referred to its asymptotes as the axes of the coordinates

When the centre of any rectangular hyperbola is at the origin and its asymptotes coincide with
the coordinate axes, the equation of this rectangular hyperbola is xy = c2
1. In this hyperbola, the branches lie only in the first and third quadrants.
2. Coordinate axes, i.e., y-axis and x-axis, are the tangents to this hyperbola that meet at infinity
and are therefore asymptotes to this hyperbola.
3. With the help of our deduction, we can see that this hyperbola is also a rectangular hyperbola,
as the asymptotes are perpendicular to each other as well as they intersect at the centre of
this hyperbola, which is also the origin.

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Finding the equation of the given hyperbola. Claim: xy = c2

Proof Y
x+y=0 x-y=0
Consider the horizontal rectangular hyperbola,
x2 - y2 = a2, with the centre at the origin, whose
asymptotes are given by x - y = 0 and x + y = 0

Exercise

Rotate the axes of the rectangular hyperbola by 45° in clockwise direction without changing the
origin. Now you can notice that the new axes have coincided with asymptotes and the position
of hyperbola with respect to the axes has changed. You can notice that one of the hyperbolic
branches completely lies in the first quadrant now while the other completely lies in the third
quadrant with respect to the new coordinate axes.
Y

y=x Y’

45°
III 90° I
45° X O

y = -x X’

⇒ Now, under rotation, line y = x becomes the new y-axis (Y’) and line y = -x becomes the new
x-axis (X’).
Original equation of the hyperbola was x2 - y2 = a2, but now, we want to find a new equation of
the hyperbola with respect to X’ and Y’, which are the new coordinate axes.

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Recall
x+y=0 x-y=0
The rotated formulae for x & y axes are as follows:
x’= x cos θ + y sin θ and y’= -x sin θ + y cos θ, Y’
where θ is in the anti-clockwise sense.
⇒ For our required rotation, θ = -45°
Putting the value of θ = -45°, we get,
x’ = x cos(-45°) + y sin (-45°) and
y’ = -x sin(-45°) + y cos(-45°)
x y x y
⇒ x’ = - and y’ = +
√2 √2 √2 √2 X’

Therefore, the equation of hyperbola Y

x2 - y2 = a2 reduces to (x + y)(x - y) = a2
We can write the above equation as

(x+y x-y
√2
)( )
√2
a2
= ....(i)
2
x+y x-y
Substituting the values of and in (i),
we get, √2 √2
a2 X
⇒ y’x’ = = c2 ⇒ x’y’ = c2
2
Hence proved.
Therefore, when the centre of any rectangular
hyperbola is at the origin and its asymptotes
coincide with the coordinate axes, then its
equation is xy = c2

Note

1. Some parameters will remain the same for all rectangular hyperbolas. They are as follows:
(a) The distance between the centre and the foci is still ae.
(b) The distance between the centre and each vertex is still a.
(c) The distance between the centre and the directrix is still ea.

(d) The length of the latus rectum will still be 2b

2
a = 2a, as a = b for a rectangular hyperbola.
(e) Eccentricity, e = √2
2. The asymptote equations for xy = c2 are given by x = 0 and y = 0
3. The equations of the axes of hyperbola xy = c2 are y = x (transverse axis) and y = -x
(conjugate axis)

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Terms related to hyperbola xy = c2

(i) A
 symptotes: Equation of the asymptotes are
given by x = 0 and y = 0, i.e., x-axis and y-axis
are the asymptotes.
(ii) E
 ccentricity: As the asymptotes are
perpendicular to each other and intersect at
the centre of the hyperbola, it is a rectangular
hyperbola, and we know that the eccentricity Y
of a rectangular hyperbola is √2 .
We can look at this in another way. To get this
rectangular hyperbola, we simply rotate the axes
of the horizontal rectangular hyperbola by 45°
in the clockwise direction without disturbing its A(c, c)
shape and position . The rotation of the axes
does not affect the eccentricity as eccentricity A’(-c, -c) X
only measures the degree of flatness of the
curve, so the eccentricity will remain √2.
(iii) Centre: The centre is (0, 0).
(iv) Equation of the transverse axis (T.A.): y = x
(v) Equation of the conjugate axis (C.A.): y = -x
(vi) Vertices: We know that vertices are the
points where the transverse axis cuts the
hyperbolic curve. So, in order to get the
coordinates of the vertices, we need to solve
xy = c2 and y = x simultaneously.
⇒ x2 = c2 ⇒ x = ± c and y = ± c

Now, A lies in the first quadrant and its coordinates will therefore be A(c, c), and A’ is in the third
quadrant and its coordinates will therefore be A’(-c, -c).

Note

The distance from the origin to vertices OA and OA’ is given by a = √2c

(vii) Length of the T.A. (= C.A.): The length of T.A. is the distance between the two vertices and is
given by 2√2c.
 oci: F1 is lying on the line y = x. So both the coordinates are equal. i.e.(x, x)
(viii) F
a = √2 c ⇒ ae = √2c × √2 = 2c & √2x = 2c ⇒ x = √2c. The coordinates of the foci are given by
F1(√2c, √2c) and F2(-√2c, -√2c).

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(ix) Equation of the latus rectum: Both of the Y

latus rectums are parallel to the line y = -x.
One is passing through F1 and other is Q1
passing through F2. Therefore, the slopes of
both latus rectums are the same, i.e., -1. F1(√2c, √2c)
The equation of latus rectum P1Q1 through P1
F1(√2c, √2c) is given by x + y = 2√2c, and
the equation of latus rectum P2Q2 through X
Q2
F2(-√2c, -√2c) is given by x + y = -2√2c
(x) Length of the latus rectum: As the length F2(-√2c, -√2c)
of latus does not change, the lengths of the
latus rectums P1Q1 & P2Q2 is given by P2 y = -x
2b2 = 2a2 = 2a = 2√2c
a a
(xi) Equation of the directrices: Let D1 and D2 be
Y
the two directrices. We will use the normal
form to write the equations of D1 and D2. Let
M be a point on transverse axis D1.
Let OM = p
⇒ D1: x cos α + y sin α = p P
x + y = -√2c M
Now, p is the distance between the origin to α
directrix D1 along the transverse axis. X
p = ea = √2c = c Also, α = 45° x + y = -√2c
√2
So, D1: x cos(45°) + y sin (45°) = c
D1
y
⇒ x + = c ⇒ x + y = √2c D2
√2 √2
Similarly, D2: x + y = -√2c

Parametric equation
Y
We want to know how to represent any point
on a rectangular hyperbola xy = c2
Let P be any point on our hyperbola. Hence,
it is represented by the following:
P(ct, ct ), where t is just a parameter such that P
t ∈ R - {0} O X
Hence, x = ct and y = ct (t ≠ 0) are the
parametric equations of this rectangular
hyperbola.

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 07

Equation of the tangent for the rectangular hyperbola xy = c2

Consider a tangent (T) at point P(x1, y1) to our hyperbola.

The equation of tangent with the help of the point form is given by T = 0
Using the rules for replacement in finding T = 0 with the help of the point form, we get,
xy + yx1
T = 0: 1 = c2 ⇒ xy1 + yx1 = 2c2
2
-y1
⇒ Hence, its slope = x
1

y1
Also, notice that x is always positive as
1 Y
points (x1, y1) either lie in the first or the third
quadrants. Hence, the slope of the tangent
for our given hyperbola is always negative. T
1. The slope of the tangent is always -ve. N
2. The area formed by the tangent and the P(x1, y1)
coordinate axes is always constant.
O M X
2c2
x-intercept = y
1

2c2
y-intercept = x
1

2
2c2 2c2
Area of △OMN = 1(OM)(ON) = 1 y
2 1 x1
.( )( )
= 4c = 4c2 = 2c2sq. units
4 4

2x1y1 2c

Parametric form: x = ct, y = ct

Equation of tangent in parametric form: x + yt2 = 2ct

Equation of normal to the hyperbola: xy = c2

xy = c2
Y
Equation of tangent at point P(x1, y1) is
T: xy1 + yx1 = 2c2
-y1
Slope of tangent (mT) = x
1 T
x
⇒ Slope of normal (mN) = y1
1
x
( )
P(t) ≡ ct, ct
Equation of normal is y - y1 = y1(x - x1) X
1
⇒ yy1 - (y1)2 = xx1 - (x1)2
⇒ xx1 - yy1 = (x1)2 - (y1)2
The slope of a normal is always +ve.
Equation of normal in parametric form is :
( )
t2x - y = c t3 - 1t

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Solve

For hyperbola xy = 16, which of the following is/are true?

(a) The length of the latus rectum is 8√2. (b)The tangent at (2, 8) is 2x + y - 12 = 0
(c) The chord with midpoint (5, 6) is 6x + 5y = 60 (d) The distance between the foci is 18.

Solution

xy = 16 ⇒ c2 = 16 (∵xy = c2)
c = 4 (c > 0)

Option (a)
2a2
Length of the latus rectum = a =2a = 2(√2c) {∵a = √2c}
= 2√2(4) = 8√2

Option (b)
Tangent at point (x1, y1) is xy1 + yx1 = 2c2
At P(2, 8) ⇒ 8x + 2y = 2(16) = 32 ⇒ 4x + y = 16

Option (c)
The equation of chord with given midpoint is T = S1
⇒ xy = c2 ⇒ xy - c2 = 0 which represents S
The value of S at P(5, 6)is 5(6) - 16 = 14 = S1
xy + yx1 2
T: 1 -c
2
6x + 5y
⇒ - 16 = 14 ⇒ 6x + 5y - 32 = 28
2
⇒ 6x + 5y = 60

Option (d)
Distance between the foci = 2ae
= 2(4√2)√2 = 16
Options (a) and (c) are the correct answers.

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 09

Y
Conjugate rectangular hyperbola: xy = -c2

In order to obtain the equation of the

conjugate hyperbola which has asymptotes
as coordinate axis we rotate the axes of
reference through an angle of -45°. Hence
xy = -c2 is the conjugate of the rectangular
hyperbola xy = c2. This is achieved by rotating O X
the axes by 45° in anticlockwise sense.

Geometric properties of rectangular hyperbola

Property 1

If the normal at point with parameter t1 to the rectangular hyperbola, xy = c2, meets it again at
point with parameter t2, then (t1)3t2 = -1

Proof

Given, xy = c2
Normal N at point P(t1) intersects the curve again at Q(t2)

Note Y
Equation of normal at (x1, y1)
P(t1)
in point form: xx1 - yy1 = (x1)2 - (y1)2

Let P(t1) ≡ ct1, c

t1( )
The equation of normal at P(t1), Q(t2)

t1 ()
⇒ x(ct1) - y c = c2(t1)2 - c 2
2

(t1) N
X

⇒ (t1)3x - t1y - c(t1)4 + c = 0......(i)

( )
Q(t2) ≡ ct2, c lying on the normal
t2
Equation (i) Passes through the point
(
Q(t2) ≡ ct2, c
t2 )
t2 ()
⇒ (t1)3(ct2) - t1 c - c(t1)4 + c = 0 ⇒ (t1)3(t2)2 - t1 - (t1)4t2 + t2 = 0 ⇒ [(t1)3t2 + 1](t2 - t1) = 0
Since P and Q are two distinct points, t1 is not equal to t2 ⇒ t1 ≠ t2
[(t1)3t2 + 1] = 0 ⇒ (t1)3t2 = -1

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 10

Y Incident ray
Property 2
Reflected ray T
If an incoming light ray passing through
one focus, S, strikes the convex side of the
hyperbola, then it will get reflected towards r
P
the other focus, S’.
i
S’ M S X
Proof

T is the tangent at point P. We must prove

that ∠i = ∠r of PSS’, with PM being the angle
bisector of ∠SPS’

Y
Property 3
T
If an ellipse and a hyperbola are confocal
i.e., their foci are same, then they intersect
90°
orthogonally.
P2 P1
(The tangent of the ellipse at the intersection
S’ S X
is the normal for the hyperbola.)
P3 P4

Property 4

PSQ is a focal chord of hyperbola where S Y

is the focus and P & Q are the points on the
hyperbola S = 0 then 1 + 1 = 2a2 , or the
SP SQ b P
semi-latus rectum is the harmonic mean of SP A
and SQ.
b2 = Harmonic mean of SP and SQ
a
O S X
PS, ba , QS are in HP.
2

Q
1 , a , 1 are in AP. B
PS b2 QS
2a = 1 + 1 (This property is connecting a
b2 PS QS
random focal chord to the latus rectum.)

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 11

Y
Property 5
T
The feet of the perpendicular from the foci
upon any tangent to a hyperbola lie on the
auxiliary circle.

S’ S X

Y
Property 6
T
The product of the lengths of the
perpendiculars from the foci upon any tangent
2 y2
of hyperbola x2 - 2 = 1 is equal to the square d2
a b
of the semi-conjugate axis.
S’ S X
Let the perpendicular distance from focus S’
to the tangent be d1 and the perpendicular d1
distance from focus S to the tangent be d2,
then d1d2 = b2

Y
Property 7

The portion of the tangent to a hyperbola T

between the point of contact and the directrix
subtends a right angle at the corresponding P
focus.
S’ S X
A

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 12

Property 8

If a triangle has its vertices on a rectangular hyperbola, then its orthocentre also lies on the same
hyperbola.

Proof

Suppose that the parametric points on the

( ) (
hyperbola are P ct1, c , R ct2, c , and
t1 t2 )
( )
Q ct3, c respectively.
t3
Y

Now slope of QR is
c -c
t3 t 2
=- 1
ct3 - ct2 t2t3
N P(t1)
Hence the slope of PM is t2t3
The equation of altitude PM is X
Q(t3) H
y - c = t2t3(x - ct1)
t1
M
⇒ t1y - c = xt1t2t3 - c(t1)2t2t3 ....(i)
Similarly equation of altitude RN
Is t2y - c = xt1t2t3 - c(t2)2t1t3 ....(ii)
R(t2)
Solving (i) & (ii)
We get the orthocentre of △PQR will be

H≡ (t -ct t , -ct t t ) which lies on xy = c

1 2 3
1 2 3
2

Concept Check

PQ and RS are two perpendicular chords of the rectangular hyperbola xy = c2. If C is the centre of
the rectangular hyperbola, then find the product of the slopes of CP, CQ, CR, and CS.

Summary Sheet

• Equation of a rectangular hyperbola in the standard form is as follows:

Case I: x2 - y2 = a2 and e = √2, and the pair of asymptotes are given by y = x and y = -x
Case II: x2 - y2 = -a2 and e = √2, and the pair of asymptotes are given by y = x and y = -x

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 13

Rectangular hyperbola of the form Rectangular hyperbola of the form

x2 - y2 = a 2 xy = c2

Y Y
y = -x y=x

(c, c)

X (-c, -c) c X

Asymptotes are perpendicular Asymptotes are perpendicular

Asymptotes
lines i.e. x ± y = 0 lines i.e. x = 0 & y = 0

Eccentricity e = √2 e = √2

Centre O(0, 0) O(0, 0)

Foci S(√2a, 0), S’(-√2a, 0) S(√2c, √2c), S’(-√2c, -√2c)

Directrices x=± a x + y = ± √2c

√2

Latusrectum 2a 2√2c

Equation of tangent in y
xx1 - yy1 = a2 xy1 + yx1 = 2c2 or xx + y = 2
point form 1 1

Equation of tangent
x sec θ - y tan θ = a x + yt2 = 2ct
in parametric form

Equation of normal x + y =2
x1 y1 xx1 - yy1 = (x1)2 - (y1)2
in point form

Equation of normal in
parametric form
x + y = 2a
sec θ tan θ ( )
t2x - y = c t3 - 1
t

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 14

Mind Map

Hyperbola

Rectangular hyperbola Equation of normal Geometric properties

Propertiees of
rectangular hyperbola

Self-Assessment

A variable straight line of slope 4 intersects the hyperbola xy = 1 at two points. Find the locus of
the point which divides the line segment between these points in the ratio 1 : 2

Answers

Concept Check

Step 1
Let the coordinates of
( )
P, Q, R, and S be cti, c , respectively (where i = 1, 2, 3, 4)
ti
Now, it is given that PQ ⊥ RS, so product of their slopes will be -1.
c -c c -c
t2 t1 t t
⇒ × 4 3 = -1
ct2 - ct1 ct4 - ct3
⇒ 1 × 1 = -1
t1t2 t3t4
⇒ 1 = -1
t1t2t3t4

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 15

Step 2
c
t
Slope of CP = 1
ct1
c c c
t2 t3 t
Similarly, slope of CQ, CR, and CS is , , and 4 respectively.
ct2 ct3 ct4
c c c c
t1 t2 t3 t
Product of their slopes = × × × 4
ct1 ct2 ct3 ct4

= ( )
1 2=1
t1t2t3t4

Self-Assessment

Step 1

( ) ( )
Let the variable line of slope 4 cuts the hyperbola xy = 1at P t1, 1 and Q t2, 1 . Let R(h, k)be the
t1 t2
point dividing PQ in the ratio 1:2 then,
Slope of PQ = 4
1 -1
t2 t1
= 4 ⇒ t1t2 = - 1 ...(i)
t2 - t 1 4

Step 2
R divides PQ in the ratio 1:2. therefore,
2 +1
2t1 + t2 t t2
= h and 1 = k ⇒ 2t1 + t2 = 3h and 2t2 + t1 = 3kt1t2
3 1+2
2t1 + t2 = 3h and t1 + 2t2 = - 3k [using (i)]
4
3(t1 + t2) = 3h - 3k and t1 - t2 = 3h + 3k [on adding and subtracting]
4 4

Step 3
t1 + t2 = h - k and t1 - t2 = 3 h + k
4 4 ( )
⇒ t1 = 2h + k and t2 = -h - k ⇒ t1t2 = 8h + k -2h - k
4 2 4 2 ( )( )
(8h + k)(2h + k)
⇒ -1 = - [using (i)]
4 8
⇒ 2 = 16h2 + 10hk + k2
⇒ 16h2 + 10hk + k2 - 2 = 0
Hence the locus of (h, k) is 16h2 + 10hk + k2 - 2 = 0

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