Conics: Hyperbola

A hyperbola is
the set of all points
such that the
difference of the
distance from two
given points called
foci is constant
The parts of a
hyperbola are:

transverse axis
conjugate axis
center
vertices
foci
the asymptotes
The transverse
axis is 2a units
long

The distance 2a
from the center
to each vertex is
a units

a
 The length of the
conjugate axis is
2b units
The distance from the
center to the rectangle
along the conjugate 2b
axis is b units

b
The distance from
the center to each
focus is c units
where
c
c  a b
2 2 2
Standard equations:
( x  h) ( y  k )
2 2

2
 2
 1
a b
( y  k ) ( x  h)
2 2

2
 2
 1
a b
where (h,k) is the center
The equations of the
asymptotes are:

b
y  k   ( x  h)
a
for a hyperbola that opens
left & right
 a
y  k   ( x  h)
b
for a hyperbola that opens
up & down
 Summary
•Vertices and foci are always
on the transverse axis
•Distance from the center to
each vertex is a units
•Distance from center to
each focus is c units where
c  a b
2 2 2
 Summary
•If x term is positive,
hyperbola opens left & right
•If y term is positive,
hyperbola opens up & down
•a is always the positive
2
denominator
 Example
Find the coordinates of the center, foci, and
vertices, and the equations of the
asymptotes for the graph of :

4 x  y  24 x  4 y  28  0
2 2
 Solution
( x  3) ( y  2)
2 2
 1
1 4
Center: (-3,2)
Foci: (-3± 5 ,2)
Vertices: (-2,2), (-4,2)
Asymptotes: y  2  2( x  3)
 Example
Find the coordinates of the center, foci, and
vertices, and the equations of the
asymptotes for the graph of :

25 y  9 x  100 y  72 x  269  0
2 2

then graph the hyperbola.

 Solution
( y  2) ( x  4)
2 2
 1
9 25
Center: (-4,2)
Foci: (-4,2± 34 )
Vertices: (-4,-1), (-4,5)
3
Asymptotes: y  2   ( x  4)
5