Core Subject Title: PRE-CALCULUS

Modular Code: 1.0 (ANALYTIC GEOMETRY)

Lesson Code: 1.4 HYPERBOLAS
Time Frame: 3 One-Hour Sessions

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, you shall be able to:
➢ solve situational problems involving hyperbolas.

Introduction
A hyperbola is one of the conic sections that most students have not formally
before, unlike circles and parabolas. Its graph consists of unbounded branches which
extend in opposite directions. It is a misconception that each branch is a parabola. This is
not true, as parabolas and hyperbolas have very different features. An application of
hyperbolas in basic location and navigation schemes are presented in an example and
some exercises.

1.4.1 Definition and Equation of a Hyperbola

Consider the points 𝐹1 (5,0) as shown in the below, what is the absolute value of
the difference of the distances of 𝐴(3.75, −3) from 𝐹1 and from 𝐹2 ? How about the absolute
16
value of the difference of the distances of 𝐵(−5, ) from 𝐹1 and from 𝐹2 ?
3

|AF1 − AF2 | = |9.25 − 3.25| = 6

16 34
⌈BF1 − BF2 ⌉ = ⌈ − ⌉ = 6
3 3

There are other points 𝑃 such that |𝑃𝐹1 − 𝑃𝐹2 | = 6. The collection of all such points
forms a shape called a hyperbola, which consists of two disjoint branches. For points 𝑃
on the left branch, 𝑃𝐹2 − 𝑃𝐹1 = 6; for those on the right branch, 𝑃𝐹1 − 𝑃𝐹2 = 6.

Let 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 be two distinct points. The set of all points 𝑃, whose distances
from 𝐹1 and from 𝐹2 differ by a certain constant, is called a hyperbola. The points
𝐹1 and 𝐹2 are called the foci of the hyperbola.

In the second figure above, given are two points on the 𝑥-axis, 𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) and 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0), the
foci, both 𝑐 units away from their midpoint (0,0). This midpoint is the center of the
hyperbola. Let 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) be a point on the hyperbola, and let the absolute value of the
difference of the distances of 𝑃 from 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 , be 2𝑎. Thus, |𝑃𝐹1 − 𝑃𝐹2 | = 2𝑎, and so
|√(𝑥 + 𝑐)2 + 𝑦 2 − √(𝑥 − 𝑐)2 + 𝑦 2 | = 2𝑎

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Core Subject Title: PRE-CALCULUS
Modular Code: 1.0 (ANALYTIC GEOMETRY)
Lesson Code: 1.4 HYPERBOLAS
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Algebraic manipulations allow us to rewrite this into the much simpler

𝑥2 𝑦2
− 2 = 1, where 𝑏 = √𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 .
𝑎2 𝑏
When we let 𝑏 = 2 2
√𝑐 − 𝑎 , we assumed 𝑐 > 𝑎. To see why this is true, suppose
that 𝑃 is closer to 𝐹2 , so 𝑃𝐹1 − 𝑃𝐹2 = 2𝑎. Suppose also that 𝑃 is not on the 𝑥-axis, so
∆𝑃𝐹1 𝐹2 is formed. From the triangle inequality, 𝐹1 𝐹2 + 𝑃𝐹2 > 𝑃𝐹1 . Thus, 2𝑐 > 𝑃𝐹1 − 𝑃𝐹2 =
2𝑎, so 𝑐 > 𝑎.
We collect here the features of the graph of a hyperbola with standard equation
𝑥2 𝑦2
− = 1.
𝑎2 𝑏2

Let 𝑐 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 .
➢ Center: origin (0,0)
➢ Foci: 𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) and 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0)
• Each focus is 𝑐 units away from the center.
• For any point on the hyperbola, the absolute value of the difference of its
distances from the foci is 2𝑎.
➢ Vertices: 𝑉1 (−𝑎, 0) and𝑉2 (𝑎, 0)
• The vertices are points on the hyperbola, collinear with the center and foci.
• If 𝑦 = 0, then 𝑥 = ±𝑎. Each vertex is 𝑎 units away from the center.
• The segment 𝑉1 𝑉2 is called the traverse axis. Its length is 2𝑎.
𝑏 𝑏
➢ Asymptotes: 𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑥 and 𝑦 = − 𝑎 𝑥, the lines 𝑙1 and 𝑙2 .
• The asymptotes of the hyperbola are two lines passing through the center
which serve as a guide in graphing the hyperbola: each branch of the
hyperbola gets closer and closer to the asymptotes, in the direction towards
which the branch extends.
• An aid in determining the equations of the asymptotes: in the standard
𝑥2 𝑦2
equation, replace 1 by 0, and in the resulting equation 𝑎2
− 𝑏2 = 0, solve
for 𝑦.

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Core Subject Title: PRE-CALCULUS
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Example 1.4.1. Determine the foci, vertices, and asymptotes of the hyperbola with
𝑥2 𝑦2
equation − = 1.
9 7
2
Solution. With 𝑎 = 9 and 𝑏 = 7, we have
𝑎 = 3 and 𝑏 = √7, and 𝑐 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 4.
➢ Foci: 𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) = (−4,0) and
𝐹2 (𝑐, 0) = (4,0)
➢ Vertices: 𝑉1 (−𝑎, 0) = (−3,0) and
𝑉2 (𝑎, 0) = (3,0).
𝑏 √7
➢ Asymptotes: 𝑦 = ± 𝑎 𝑥 = ± 3
𝑥.

Example 1.4.2. Find the standard equation of the hyperbola whose foci are 𝐹1 (−5,0) and
𝐹2 (5,0), such that for any point on it, the absolute value of the difference of its distances
from the foci is 6.
Solution. We have 2𝑎 = 6 and 𝑐 = 5, so 𝑎 = 3 and 𝑏 = √𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 = 4. The hyperbola then
𝑥2 𝑦2
has equation 9
− 16 = 1.

1.4.2 More Properties of Hyperbolas

The hyperbolas we considered so far are “horizontal” and have the origin as their
centers. Some hyperbolas have their foci aligned vertically, and some have centers not at
the origin.

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In all four cases above, we let 𝑐 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2. The foci 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 are 𝑐 units away
from the center 𝐶. The vertices 𝑉1 and 𝑉2 are 𝑎 units away from the center. The traverse
axis 𝑉1 𝑉2 has length 2𝑎. The conjugate axis has length 2𝑏 and is perpendicular to the
transverse axis. The transverse and conjugate axes bisect each other at their intersection
point, C. each branch of a hyperbola gets closer and closer to the asymptotes, in the
direction towards which the branch extends. The equations of the asymptotes can be
determined by replacing 1 in the standard equation by 0. The asymptotes can be drawn
as the extended diagonals of the auxiliary rectangle determined by the transverse and
conjugate axes. Recall that, for any point on the hyperbola, the absolute value of the
difference of its distances from the foci is 2𝑎.
In the standard equation, aside from being positive, there are no other restrictions
on 𝑎 and 𝑏. In fact, 𝑎 and 𝑏 can even be equal. The orientation of the hyperbola is
determined by the variable appearing in the first term (the positive term): the
corresponding axis is where the two branches will open. For example, if the variable in the
first term is 𝑥, the hyperbola is “horizontal”: the transverse axis is horizontal, and the
branches open to the left and right in the direction of the 𝑥-axis.

Example 1.4.3. Identify the center, foci, vertices, and asymptotes of the hyperbola with
the given equation.
(𝑦+2)2 (𝑥−7)2
1) 25
− 9
=1

Solution. From 𝑎2 = 25 = 5 and 𝑏 2 = 9 = 3, we

have 𝑐 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = √34 ≈ 5.8. The hyperbola is
vertical. To determine the asymptotes, we write
(𝑦+2)2 (𝑥−7)2
− = 0, which is equivalent to 𝑦 + 2 =
25 9
5
± (𝑥 − 7). We can then solve this for 𝑦.
3
➢ Center: 𝐶: (7, −2)
➢ Foci: 𝐹1 (7, −2 − √34) and 𝐹2 (7, −2 + √34)
➢ Vertices: 𝑉1 (7, −7) and 𝑉2 (7,3)
5 41 5 29
➢ Asymptotes: 𝑦 = 3 𝑥 − 3
and 𝑦 = − 3 𝑥 + 3
The conjugate axis drawn has its endpoints 𝑏 − 3
units to the left and right of the center.

1.4.3 Situational Problems Involving Hyperbolas

Example 1.4.4. An explosion is heard by two stations 1200 m apart, located at 𝐹1 (−600,0)
and 𝐹2 (600,0). If the explosion was heard in 𝐹1 two seconds before it was heard in 𝐹2 ,
identify the possible locations of the explosion. Use 340 𝑚/𝑠 as the speed of sound.

Solution. Using the given speed of sound, we deduce that the sound traveled 340(2) =
680 m farther in reaching 𝐹2 than in 𝐹1 . This is then the difference of the distances of the

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explosion from the two stations. Thus, the explosion is on a hyperbola with foci, 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 ,
on the branch closer to 𝐹1 .

We have 𝑐 = 600 and 2𝑎 = 680 = 340, so 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 = 244400. The explosion

𝑥2 𝑦2
could therefore be anywhere on the left branch of the hyperbola 115600 − 244400 = 1.

Example 1.4.5. A yacht travelling on a course parallel to and 80 km from the straight
shoreline of Palawan. Two transmitting stations are located 180 km apart on the shoreline.
By timing radio signals from stations, the yacht’s navigator determines that the yacht is
between the two stations and 60 km closer to A than to station B. Find the distance from
the yacht to each station.
Solution.
Let
SA be station 𝐴
𝑆𝐵 be station 𝐵
𝑑1 be the distance of the yacht to station 𝐴
𝑑2 be the distance of the yacht to station 𝐵

If 𝑑1 and 𝑑2 are distances from the yacht to station 𝐴 and 𝐵, respectively, then 𝑑1 −
𝑑2 = 60 and the yacht must be on the hyperbola with foci at 𝑆𝐴 and 𝑆𝐵 and the fixed
difference is 60, as shown below.

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Note that the equation of the hyperbola with fixed difference is 2𝑎 = 60 or 𝑎 = 30. Thus,
for the hyperbola, the value of 2𝑐 = 90 or 𝑐 = 90, we get

To compute for the 𝑏 2 , we get 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 = 902 − 302 = 8100 − 900 = 7200.

𝑥2 𝑦2
The equation of the hyperbola with the traverse axis along 𝑥-axis is 900 − 7200 = 1.

Substituting 𝑦 = 80 and solving for 𝑥, we get

𝑥2 𝑦2
− =1
900 7200
𝑥2 802
− =1
900 7200
𝑥2 6400
=1+
900 7200
2
6400
𝑥 = 900 + (1 + )
7200
𝑥 2 = 1700
𝑥 = 41.23
Thus, 𝑥 = 41.23 kilometers.
The distance from the yacht to station 𝐴 and 𝐵, we get

𝑑1 = √(41.23 + 90)2 + 802 𝑑2 = √(41.23 − 90)2 + 802

𝑑1 = √131.232 + 802 𝑑2 = √(−48.77)2 + 802
𝑑1 = √23621.3129 𝑑1 = √8778.5129
𝑑1 = 153.69 kilometers 𝑑1 = 93.69 kilometers

Example 1.4.5. A comet’s path as it approaches the sun can be modeled by one branch
𝑦2 𝑥2
of hyperbola 1225 − 40401 = 1, where the sun is at the focus of that path of the hyperbola.
Each unit of the coordinate system is 1 million kilometers. Find the coordinates of the sun
and how close does the comet come to the sun?

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Solution. We will set the center of the hyperbola at (0,0), the hyperbola’s traverse axis is
parallel to 𝑦-axis, thus 𝑎2 = 1225 and 𝑏 2 = 40401, thus it follows that 𝑎 = 35 and 𝑏 = 201.
Since the sun is at a focus, we can use the equation 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 1225 + 40401 =
41626 = 204.02. So, the coordinate of the sun is (0,204.02).
Note that the closest distance of the comet to the sun is when the comet is at the vertex,
which is (0, 𝑎) = (0,35). Thus, the closest distance of the comet to the sun is 169020000
kilometers.

References

• Garces, Ian June, et al. TEACHING GUIDE FOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL:
PRECALCULUS, Commission on Higher Education, 2016.

• Sirug, Winston. PRECALCULUS FOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – STEM

SPECIALIZED SUBJECT, Mindshapers Co., INC., 2016.

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Evaluation (Time Allotment: 15 minutes)

Directions. Provide what is asked.
1) An explosion is recorded by two microphones that are 10 kilometers apart. The
first microphone receives the sound 3 seconds before the second microphone.
Assuming the sound travels at 1.2 kilometers per second, determine the
possible locations of the explosion relative to the location of the microphones.

2) A hyperbolic mirror can be used to take panoramic photographs. A DSLR

camera is pointed toward the vertex of the mirror and is pointed so that the lens
is at one focus of the mirror. An equation for the cross section of the mirror is
𝑦2 𝑥2
49
− 72 = 1, where 𝑥 and 𝑦 are in cm. How far is the mirror from the lens?

3) Two stations, located at 𝑀(−1.5,0) and 𝑁(1.5,0), simultaneously send sound

signals to a ship, with the signal traveling at the speed of 0.33 km/s. If the signal
from 𝑁 was received by the ship four seconds before the signal it received from
𝑀, find the equation of the curve containing the possible location of the ship.

4) A comet following a hyperbolic path about the sun has a perihelion distance of
100 Gm. When the line from the comet to the sun is perpendicular to the focal
axis of the orbit, the comet is 300 Gm from the sun. What are the coordinates
of the center of the sun if we coordinate space so that the hyperbola is given
𝑥2 𝑦2
by − = 1.
𝑎2 𝑏2

5) Riana is stationed 14 kilometers due west of Sofia in a rainforest to locate a

hawk. At the stroke of daylight, Riana records a hawk call 15 seconds earlier
than Sofia. If the speed of sound that day is 1200 kilometers per hour, find a
hyperbolic path along which the hawk must be located.

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