Hyperbola

A hyperbola is the collection of all points in the plane the

difference of whose distances from two fixed points, called
the foci, is a constant.

This is the same definition as an ellipse except we have

the difference is always constant instead of the sum.

The hyperbola has

two symmetric parts
called branches.
Each branch has a
vertex and a focus.
The axis that contains
the vertices is called
the transverse axis.
 PARTS OF A HYPERBOLA
The black dashes lines are asymptotes for the graphs.

conjugate axis
transverse axis
center
foci foci
 The equation for a hyperbola can be derived by using
the definition and the distance formula. The resulting
equation is:
2 2
x y
2
− 2 = 1, where b = c − a
2 2 2

a b
This looks similar to the ellipse equation but notice the sign
difference.

To graph a hyperbola,
make a rectangle that b
measures 2a by 2b as
c
a sketching aid and a a
draw the diagonals. b
These are the
asymptotes.
 x2 y 2
Find the vertices and foci and graph the hyperbola:
− =1
The ends of From the center the 9 4
the transverse ends of the
axis are the transverse axis are From the
vertices and "a" each direction. center the
the axis is 2a "a" is the square ends of the
long. root of conjugate axis
this value are "b" each
a ba direction. "b"
(-3, 0) (3, 0) is the square
(− 13 ,0 ) b ( 13,0) root of this
To find the foci, they are value
Make a "c" away from the center
rectangle &
draw diagonals
in each direction. Find "c"
for the by the equation: c 2 = a 2 + b 2
asymptotes.
c = 9+4
2
c = 13  3.6
 x2 y 2
Let's find the equations of the asymptotes.
− =1
They are lines with y intercept of 0. 9 4
y y= =mx
mx+ b The second
line has the
What is the same slope
hint: rise
slope of this only negative.
over run
line?
Can you see this would
a ba be b over a or in this
(-3, 0) (3, 0) case, up two, over three

(− ) ( 13,0)
or 2/3?
13 ,0
b
2
y= x
3
 The center of the hyperbola may be transformed
from the origin. The equation would then be:

(x − h ) 2
−
( y − k)
2
=1
(y − k ) 2
−
( x − h)
2
=1
2 2 2 2
a b a b

transverse
vertical
horizontal

axis
transverse
axis

The axis is determined by the first term NOT by which

denominator is the largest. If the x term is positive it
will be horizontal, if the y term is the positive term it
will be vertical.
Find the center, foci, vertices and graph the ellipse
complete the square on the x terms and 4 y − 3x + 8 y + 6 x = 11
2 2

then on the y terms

(
4 y + 2 y + __
2
) ( 1 = 11 + 4(__
1 − 3 x − 2 x + __ 2
)
1 ) − 3(__
1)
We grouped the y terms and factored out a 4 and grouped the x
terms and factored out a -3. The y squared term is first because it
is positive.

4( y + 1) − 3(x −1) = 12 1
2 2 The right hand side must be a 1 so
divide all terms by 12

3 12 4 12 12
This is now in standard
( y + 1)
2
−
( x − 1)
2
=1
form and we are ready to
3 4 find what we need and
graph (next screen)
 ( ) ( )
The center is at (h, k).
y +1 x −1
2 2
a2
this is so
a = square − = 1 In this case (1, -1).
root of 3
3 4 this is b2 so b = 2
a = square root 3 so the vertices (on the transverse axis)
are square root of 3 each way from the center. Since it is
the y term that is positive, we move square root of 3 each
way in the y direction. so vertices are: (1,−1  3 )
To find foci: c2 = a 2 + b2
c2 = 3 + 4 = 7 c = 7  2.6

(1,−1 7 )
(1, -1)
So foci are:

Make the rectangle and

asymptotes to help you graph