Hyperbolas

• Write equations of hyperbolas.

• Graph hyperbolas.

Vocabulary are hyperbolas different from parabolas?

• hyperbola A hyperbola is a conic section with the property that y
• foci rays directed toward one focus are reflected toward
• center the other focus. Notice that, unlike the other conic
• vertex sections, a hyperbola has two branches.
• asymptote O x
• transverse axis
• conjugate axis

EQUATIONS OF HYPERBOLAS A hyperbola is the set of all points in a

plane such that the absolute value of the difference of the distances from two fixed
points, called the foci, is constant.
The hyperbola at the right has foci at (0, 3) and (0, 3). y (x, y )
The distances from either of the y-intercepts to the foci (0, 3)
are 1 unit and 5 units, so the difference of the distances
from any point with coordinates (x, y) on the hyperbola
to the foci is 4 or 4 units, depending on the order in O x
which you subtract.
You can use the Distance Formula and the definition of
(0,
3)
a hyperbola to find an equation of this hyperbola.

The distance between the distance between


(x, y) and (0, 3) (x, y) and (0, 3) = ±4.


x2
(
y  3)2  
x2
(
y
3)2  4

x2
(
y  3)2  4

x2
(
y
3)2 Isolate the radicals.

x2
(y  3)2  16 8
x2
(
y
3)2
x2
(y
3)2 Square each side.

x2
y2  6y
9  16 8
x2
(
y
3)2
x2
y2
6y
9

12y  16  8
x2
(
y
3)2 Simplify.

3y
4  2x 
2
(y
3)2 Divide each side by 4.

9y2
24y
16  4[x2
(y
3)2] Square each side.

9y2
24y
16  4x2
4y2
24y
36 Distributive Property

5y2  4x2  20 Simplify.

y2 x2
    1 Divide each side by 20.
4 5
y2 x2
An equation of this hyperbola is     1.
4 5

Lesson 8-5 Hyperbolas 441

 The diagram below shows the parts of a hyperbola.

asymptote y asymptote

transverse center As a hyperbola

b c recedes from its
axis
vertex vertex center, the branches
The point on F1 O F2 x approach lines
each branch a called asymptotes.
nearest the
center is a conjugate axis
vertex.

A hyperbola has some similarities to an ellipse. The distance from the center to a
vertex is a units. The distance from the center to a focus is c units. There are two
axes of symmetry. The transverse axis is a segment of length 2a whose endpoints
are the vertices of the hyperbola. The conjugate axis is a segment of length 2b units
that is perpendicular to the transverse axis at the center. The values of a, b, and c are
related differently for a hyperbola than for an ellipse. For a hyperbola, c2  a2
b2.
The table below summarizes many of the properties of hyperbolas with centers at
the origin.

Study Tip Equations of Hyperbolas with Centers at the Origin

Reading Math x2 y2 y2 x2
Standard Form of Equation   2  1   2  1
In the standard form of a2 b a2 b
a hyperbola, the squared Direction of Transverse Axis horizontal vertical
terms are subtracted ().
For an ellipse, they are Foci (c, 0), (c, 0) (0, c), (0, c)
added (
). Vertices (a, 0), (a, 0) (0, a), (0, a)
Length of Transverse Axis 2a units 2a units
Length of Conjugate Axis 2b units 2b units
b a
Equations of Asymptotes y  x y  x
a b

Example 1 Write an Equation for a Graph

Write an equation for the hyperbola shown at the right. (0, 4) y
The center is the midpoint of the segment connecting
(0, 3)
the vertices, or (0, 0).
The value of a is the distance from the center to a vertex, O x
or 3 units. The value of c is the distance from the center
to a focus, or 4 units. (0,
3)

(0,
4)
c2  a2
b2 Equation relating a, b, and c for a hyperbola

42  32
b2 c  4, a  3

16  9
b2 Evaluate the squares.

7 b2 Solve for b2.

y2 x2
Since the transverse axis is vertical, the equation is of the form 2  2  1.
a b
y2 x2
Substitute the values for a2 and b2. An equation of the hyperbola is     1.
9 7

442 Chapter 8 Conic Sections

 Example 2 Write an Equation Given the Foci and Transverse Axis
NAVIGATION The LORAN navigational system is based on hyperbolas.
Two stations send out signals at the same time. A ship notes the difference
in the times at which it receives the signals. The ship is on a hyperbola with
the stations at the foci. Suppose a ship determines that the difference of its
distances from two stations is 50 nautical miles. The stations are 100 nautical
miles apart. Write an equation for a hyperbola on which the ship lies if the
stations are at (
50, 0) and (50, 0).
First, draw a figure. By studying either of the y
x-intercepts, you can see that the difference of
the distances from any point on the hyperbola
to the stations at the foci is the same as the length
of the transverse axis, or 2a. Therefore, 2a  50,
(
50, 0) O (50, 0) x
or a  25. According to the coordinates of the
foci, c  50.

Navigation Use the values of a and c to determine the value

LORAN stands for
of b for this hyperbola.
Long Range Navigation.
The LORAN system is c2  a2
b2 Equation relating a, b, and c for a hyperbola
generally accurate to 502  252
b2 c  50, a  25
within 0.25 nautical mile.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard 2500  625
b2 Evaluate the squares.

1875  b2 Solve for b2.

x2 y2
Since the transverse axis is horizontal, the equation is of the form 2  2  1.
a b
x2 y2
Substitute the values for a2 and b2. An equation of the hyperbola is     1.
625 1875

GRAPH HYPERBOLAS So far, you have studied hyperbolas that are centered
at the origin. A hyperbola may be translated so that its center is at (h, k). This
corresponds to replacing x by x  h and y by y  k in both the equation of the
hyperbola and the equations of the asymptotes.

Equations of Hyperbolas with Centers at (h, k)

(x  h)2 (y  k)2 (y  k)2 (x  h)2
Standard Form of Equation    1    1
a2 b2 a2 b2
Direction of Transverse Axis horizontal vertical

b a
Equations of Asymptotes y  k  a(x  h) y  k  b(x  h)

It is easier to graph a hyperbola if the asymptotes are drawn first. To graph the
asymptotes, use the values of a and b to draw a rectangle with dimensions 2a and 2b.
The diagonals of the rectangle should intersect at the center of the hyperbola. The
asymptotes will contain the diagonals of the rectangle.

Example 3 Graph an Equation in Standard Form

Find the coordinates of the vertices and foci and the equations of the asymptotes
x2 y2
for the hyperbola with equation 
  1. Then graph the hyperbola.
9 4
The center of this hyperbola is at the origin. According to the equation, a2  9 and
b2  4, so a  3 and b  2. The coordinates of the vertices are (3, 0) and (3, 0).
(continued on the next page)
www.algebra2.com/extra_examples Lesson 8-5 Hyperbolas 443
 c2  a2
b2 Equation relating a, b, and c for a hyperbola

c2  32
22 a  3, b  2
c2  13 Simplify.


c  13 Take the square root of each side.

, 0 and 13
The foci are at 13 , 0.
b 2
The equations of the asymptotes are y  x or y  x.
a 3
You can use a calculator to find some approximate x y
nonnegative values for x and y that satisfy the equation.
Since the hyperbola is centered at the origin, it is 3 0
symmetric about the y-axis. Therefore, the points at 4 1.8
(8, 4.9), (7, 4.2), (6, 3.5), (5, 2.7), (4, 1.8), and 5 2.7
(3, 0) lie on the graph. 6 3.5
7 4.2
The hyperbola is also symmetric about the x-axis, so the 8 4.9
Study Tip points at (8, 4.9), (7, 4.2), (6, 3.5), (5, 2.7),
(4, 1.8), (4, 1.8), (5, 2.7), (6, 3.5), (7, 4.2), and
Graphing (8, 4.9) also lie on the graph.
Calculator
2 2
You can graph a Draw a 6-unit by 4-unit rectangle. The x


y
1
y 9 4
hyperbola on a graphing asymptotes contain the diagonals of the
calculator. Similar to an rectangle. Graph the vertices, which, in
ellipse, first solve the this case, are the x-intercepts. Use the
equation for y. Then asymptotes as a guide to draw the
graph the two equations x
hyperbola that passes through the vertices O
that result on the same
screen.
and the other points. The graph does not
intersect the asymptotes.

When graphing a hyperbola given an equation that is not in standard form, begin
by rewriting the equation in standard form.

Example 4 Graph an Equation Not in Standard Form

Find the coordinates of the vertices and foci and the equations of the asymptotes
for the hyperbola with equation 4x2
9y2
32x
18y  19  0. Then graph the
hyperbola.
Complete the square for each variable to write this equation in standard form.
4x2  9y2  32x  18y
19  0 Original equation

4(x2  8x
■)  9(y2
2y
■)  19
4(■)  9(■) Complete the squares.

4(x2  8x
16)  9(y2
2y
1)  19
4(16)  9(1)
Write the trinomials as
4(x  4)2  9(y
1)2  36 perfect squares.
(x  4)2 (y
1)2
    1 Divide each side by 36.
9 4
The graph of this hyperbola is the (x
4 )2 (y  1 )2

1
graph from Example 3 translated 4 units y 9 4
to the right and down 1 unit. The vertices
are at (7, 1) and (1, 1), and the foci
are at 4
 13, 1 and 4  13, 1. O x
The equations of the asymptotes are
2
y
1  (x  4).
3

444 Chapter 8 Conic Sections

 Concept Check 1. Determine whether the statement is sometimes, always, or never true.
The graph of a hyperbola is symmetric about the x-axis.
x2
2. Describe how the graph of y2  2  1 changes as k increases.
k
3. OPEN ENDED Find a counterexample to the following statement.
x2 y2
If the equation of a hyperbola is 2  2  1, then a2
b2.
a b

Guided Practice 4. Write an equation for the hyperbola shown at y

the right. (0, 5)
GUIDED PRACTICE KEY 5. A hyperbola has foci at (4, 0) and (4, 0). The
value of a is 1. Write an equation for the (0, 2)
hyperbola.
O x
(0,
2)

(0,
5)

Find the coordinates of the vertices and foci and the equations of the asymptotes
for the hyperbola with the given equation. Then graph the hyperbola.
y2 x 2 (y
6)2
(x  1) 2
6.     1 7.     1
18 20 20 25
8. x2  36y2  36 9. 5x2  4y2  40x  16y  36  0

Application 10. ASTRONOMY Comets that pass by Earth only once may follow hyperbolic
paths. Suppose a comet’s path is modeled by a branch of the hyperbola with
y2 x2
equation     1. Find the coordinates of the vertices and foci and the
225 400
equations of the asymptotes for the hyperbola. Then graph the hyperbola.

Practice and Apply

Write an equation for each hyperbola.
11. y 12. y
For See
Exercises Examples
11–20, 35 1, 2
21–34 3, 4 (
2, 0) (4, 0)
36–38 (
2, 3)
O ( ) x
(
4, 0) 2, 0
Extra Practice
See page 846. x
O

13. y 14. y
x O
O x
(0,
2)
(3,
5)
(0,
3)

(0,
8)

(0,
9)

www.algebra2.com/self_check_quiz Lesson 8-5 Hyperbolas 445

 Write an equation for the hyperbola that satisfies each set of conditions.
15. vertices (5, 0) and (5, 0), conjugate axis of length 12 units
16. vertices (0, 4) and (0, 4), conjugate axis of length 14 units
17. vertices (9, 3) and (5, 3), foci 2 53 , 3

18. vertices (4, 1) and (4, 9), foci 4, 5 97

19. Find an equation for a hyperbola centered at the origin with a horizontal
transverse axis of length 8 units and a conjugate axis of length 6 units.

20. What is an equation for the hyperbola centered at the origin with a vertical
transverse axis of length 12 units and a conjugate axis of length 4 units?

Find the coordinates of the vertices and foci and the equations of the asymptotes
for the hyperbola with the given equation. Then graph the hyperbola.
x2 y2 y2 x 2
21.     1 22.     1
81 49 36 4
y2 x2 x2 y2
23.     1 24.     1
16 25 9 25
25. x2  2y2  2 26. x2  y2  4
27. y2  36
4x2 28. 6y2  2x2
12
(y  4)2
(x
2) 2 (y  3)2
(x  2) 2
29.     1 30.     1
16 9 25 16
(x
1)2 (y
3)2 (x
6)2 (y
3)2
31.     1 32.     1
4 9 36 9
33. y2  3x2
6y
6x  18  0 34. 4x2  25y2  8x  96  0

FORESTRY For Exercises 35 and 36, use the following information.

More About . . . A forester at an outpost and another forester at the primary station both heard an
explosion. The outpost and the primary station are 6 kilometers apart.
35. If one forester heard the explosion 6 seconds before the other, write an equation
that describes all the possible locations of the explosion. Place the two forester
stations on the x-axis with the midpoint between the stations at the origin. The
transverse axis is horizontal. (Hint: The speed of sound is about 0.35 kilometer
per second.)
36. Draw a sketch of the possible locations of the explosion. Include the ranger
stations in the drawing.

Forester 37. STRUCTURAL DESIGN An architect’s design for a

Foresters work for private building includes some large pillars with cross sections
companies or governments
in the shape of hyperbolas. The curves can be modeled
to protect and manage
x2 y2
forest land. They also by the equation     1, where the units are in
supervise the planting of 0.25 9
trees and use controlled meters. If the pillars are 4 meters tall, find the width of
the top of each pillar and the width of each pillar at the 4m
burning to clear weeds,
brush, and logging debris. narrowest point in the middle. Round to the nearest
centimeter.
Online Research
For information
about a career as
a forester, visit:
www.algebra2.com/
careers 38. CRITICAL THINKING A hyperbola with a horizontal transverse axis contains
the point at (4, 3). The equations of the asymptotes are y  x  1 and y
x  5.
Write the equation for the hyperbola.
446 Chapter 8 Conic Sections
 39. PHOTOGRAPHY A curved mirror is placed
in a store for a wide-angle view of the room.
x 2 y2
The right-hand branch of     1 models
1 3
the curvature of the mirror. A small security
camera is placed so that all of the 2-foot 2 ft
diameter of the mirror is visible. If the back
of the room lies on x  18, what width of
the back of the room is visible to the camera?
(Hint: Find the equations of the lines through
the focus and each edge of the mirror.)

40. WRITING IN MATH Answer the question that was posed at the beginning of
the lesson.
How are hyperbolas different from parabolas?
Include the following in your answer:
• differences in the graphs of hyperbolas and parabolas, and
• differences in the reflective properties of hyperbolas and parabolas.

Standardized 41. A leg of an isosceles right triangle has a length of 5 units. What is the length of
Test Practice the hypotenuse?
52
A 
2 units
B 5 units C 52 units D 10 units

B
42. In the figure, what is the sum of the slopes of A  y
and AC
?
B (
4, 0) C (4, 0)
A 1 B 0
O x
C 1 D 8
A

Extending A hyperbola with asymptotes that are not perpendicular y

the Lesson is called a nonrectangular hyperbola. Most of the
hyperbolas you have studied so far are nonrectangular.
A rectangular hyperbola has perpendicular asymptotes.
For example, the graph of x2  y2  1 is a rectangular O x
hyperbola. The graphs of equations of the form xy  c,
where c is a constant, are rectangular hyperbolas with the
coordinate axes as their asymptotes. x2
y2  1

For Exercises 43 and 44, consider the equation xy  2.

43. Plot some points and use them to graph the equation. Be sure to consider
negative values for the variables.
44. Find the coordinates of the vertices of the graph of the equation.
45. Graph xy  2.
46. Describe the transformations that can be applied to the graph of xy  2 to obtain
the graph of xy  2.

Maintain Your Skills

Mixed Review Write an equation for the ellipse that satisfies each set of conditions. (Lesson 8-4)
47. endpoints of major axis at (1, 2) and (9, 2), endpoints of minor axis at (5, 1)
and (5, 3)
48. major axis 8 units long and parallel to y-axis, minor axis 6 units long,
center at (3, 1)
49. foci at (5, 4) and (3, 4), major axis 10 units long
Lesson 8-5 Hyperbolas 447
 50. Find the center and radius of the circle with equation x2
y2  10x
2y
22  0.
Then graph the circle. (Lesson 8-3)

Solve each equation by factoring. (Lesson 6-2)

51. x2
6x
8  0 52. 2q2
11q  21

Perform the indicated operations, if possible. (Lesson 4-5)

2 1 3 2 2
53.

0 5

1 4  54. [1 3] 
3
4

2
1
0 

55. PAGERS Refer to the graph

at the right. What was the USA TODAY Snapshots®
average rate of change of the Staying in touch
number of pager subscribers A new generation of pagers that can
from 1996 to 1999? (Lesson 2-3) send and receive e-mail, news and
other information from the Internet,
is spurring industry growth. U.S.
56. Solve 2x
1  9. paging subscribers in millions:
(Lesson 1-4) 42
48
57. Simplify 7x
8y
9y  5x. 1996
53
(Lesson 1-2) 1997 58
8
199
Source: Strategis
Group for Personal
Communications
1999
Association

By Anne R. Carey and Quin Tian, USA TODAY

Getting Ready for PREREQUISITE SKILL Each equation is of the form

the Next Lesson Ax2  Bxy  Cy2  Dx  Ey  F  0. Identify the values of A, B, and C.
(To review coefficients, see Lesson 5-1.)
58. 2x2
3xy  5y2  0 59. x2  2xy
9y2  0
60. 3x2
xy
2y2
4x  7y  0 61. 5x2  2y2
5x  y  0
62. x2  4x
5y
2  0 63. xy  2x  3y
6  0

P ractice Quiz 2 Lessons 8-4 and 8-5

1. Write an equation of the ellipse with foci at (3, 8) and (3, 6) and endpoints of the
major axis at (3, 8) and (3, 10). (Lesson 8-4)

Find the coordinates of the center and foci and the lengths of the major and minor
axes of the ellipse with the given equation. Then graph the ellipse. (Lesson 8-4)
(x  4)2 (y
2)2
2. 
  1 3. 16x2
5y2
32x  10y  59  0
9 1

Write an equation for the hyperbola that satisfies each set of conditions. (Lesson 8-5)
4. vertices (3, 0) and (3, 0), conjugate axis of length 8 units
, 2
5. vertices (2, 2) and (6, 2), foci 2 21

448 Chapter 8 Conic Sections