Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 1

I. QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS

Definition
A function of the form
f(x) = ax2 + bx + c

where a, b, and c are real constants and a  0 are called quadratic functions.

Domain: All real numbers

Range:
f ( x ) = ax 2 + bx + c

( 2
¿a x + x+
b
a
c
a )
( b
a
b2
2 c b2
¿a x + x+ 2 + − 2
4a a 4a )
[( ) ]
2
b 4 ac − b2
¿a x+ + 2
2a 4a

[( ) ( )]
2
b b2 −4 ac
¿ a x+ − 2
2a 4a

If x = -b/2a, f(x) has either a minimum or a maximum value at

−( b2 −4 ac )
4a depending as the sign of a is positive or negative,
respectively.

Thus, the range is

−( b2 −4 ac )
f ( x) ≥
4a if a > 0 (minimum value)

−( b2 −4 ac )
f ( x) ≤
4a
if a < 0 (maximum value)
Example:
Determine the range of the quadratic functions.
1. f(x) = x2
2. g(x) = x2 + 1
3. f(x) = 2x2 – x – 4
4. h(x) = -3x2 + 4x + 2

Graph of a Quadratic Function

Facts:
1. The graph of the function y = ax2 + bx + c is a parabola with its
axis perpendicular to the x-axis. The parabola is concave upward or
downward according as a is positive or negative.
2. At the vertex of the parabola, x = -b/2a. This value of x gives the
function its minimum or its maximum value according as a is
positive or negative.
3. The equation of the axis of the parabola is x = -b/2a.
 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 2

How to graph f(x) = ax2 + bx + c?

1. Determine the sign of the x 2 coefficient. If a > 0, the parabola
opens upward; if a < 0, it opens downward.
2. Determine the y-intercept by letting x = 0. That is, f(0) = c is the y-
intercept.
3. Determine the x-intercepts by letting f(x) = 0.
4. Determine the location of the vertex by letting x = -b/2a and y = f(-
b/2a).
5. If the graph has no x-intercepts, then locate a few points to the left
and right of the vertex.

Examples:
Sketch the graph of the quadratic functions.
1. f(x) = –3x2 + 12x +-7
2. f(x) = 3x2 – 7x – 5
3. f(x) = x2 – x – 6

Applications: Maxima and Minima

1. Suppose that 60 meters of fencing is available to enclose a rectangular
garden, one side of which will be against the side of a house. What
dimensions of the garden will guarantee a maximum area?
2. The sum of two numbers is 24. Find the two numbers if their product is
to be maximum?
3. A ball is thrown straight upward from the ground level with an initial
velocity of 32 ft per second. The formula s = 32t – 16t 2 gives its height in
feet, s, after t seconds.
a. What is the maximum height reached by the ball?
b. When does the ball return to the ground?
4. A company’s daily profit P, in dollars, is given by P = -2x 2 + 120x – 800,
where x is the number of articles produced per day. Find x so that the
daily profit is a maximum.
5. A company sells running shoes to dealers at a rate of $20 per pair if less
than 50 pairs are ordered. If a dealer orders 50 or more pairs (up to 600),
the price per pair is reduced at a rate of 2 cents times the number
ordered. What size order will produce the maximum amount of money for
the company?

II. THE STANDARD EQUATION OF CIRCLE

P(x, y)
C(h, k)


O X
 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 3

Definition:
A circle consists of the set of points in a plane such that the distance of
each from a fixed point of the plane is the same nonnegative constant.
The fixed point and given distance are called the center and radius,
respectively.

Standard equation with center at C(h, k):

If P(x, y) is any point on the circle, then
CP = r = radius
CP – r = 0 (a)

By use of the distance formula:

CP = √( x − h ) + ( y − k )
2 2

Substituting to (a)

√ ( x − h )2 + ( y − k )2 - r = 0
√ ( x − h )2 + ( y − k )2 = r
Squaring both sides, we obtain

( x − h )2 + ( y − k )2 = r 2 Standard equation of circle

Center = (h, k)
Radius = r

Standard equation with center at C(0, 0):

If C(0, 0) and radius = r:

x2 + y2 = r2 Standard equation of circle

Center = (0, 0)
Radius = r

III.THE GENERAL EQUATION OF A CIRCLE

2 2 2
If we expand the binomials of( x − h ) + ( y − k ) = r , we obtain

x 2 − 2hx + h2 + y 2 − 2ky + k 2 = r 2
Let:
D = -2h
E = -2k
F = h2, k2, r2

Then
x 2 + y 2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 General equation of circle

If we express the general equation to standard equation by completing the

squares, we have
 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 4

( ) ( )
2 2
D E D 2 +E2 D 2 +E2 −4 F
x+ + y+ = −F =
2 2 4 4

D2 + E2 – 4F = 4r2 > 0  a circle

4r2 = 0  a point circle
4r2 < 0  an imaginary circle

2 2 2 2 2
Comparing ( x − h ) + ( y − k ) = r and x + y + Dx + Ey + F = 0 , we see that
h =  D/2 k =  E/2 r= √ D2+E 2−4 F /2
Sample Problems:
I. Find the equation of the circle described in each of the following
problems.
1. Center at (2, 5), radius 3
2. Center at (2, -1), through (5, 3)
3. Center at (-4, -3), through the origin
4. Center at (5, 4), tangent to 3x – 4y + 6 = 0
5. With (2, 3) and (6, -5) as ends of a diameter

II. Find the radius and coordinates of the center of each circle in the
following problems.
1. x2 + y2 - 4x - 2y = 4
2. x2 + y2 + 6x – 4y = 36
3. 25x2 + 25y2 + 40x – 80y = 20

III. Determine the value of k for which the equation in each problem
represents a real circle, a point circle, and an imaginary circle.
1. x2 +y2 – 2x – 4y = k
2. x2 + y2 + 8x -12y = k + 3

Exercises 1
Find the coordinates of the center and the radius for the circles described by
the following equations.
1. x2 – 4/5 x + y2 – 4y + 29/25 = 0
2. x2 + 6x + y2 – 14y = 23
3. x2 – 14x + y2 + 22y = -16
4. x2 + y2 – 1 = 0

IV. THE PARABOLA

Definition of Parabola
A parabola is the set of all points in a plane that are equidistant from a
fixed point and a fixed line. The fixed point is called the focus, and the
fixed line is called the directrix. The focus may not be on the directrix.

The line through the focus and perpendicular to the directrix is called the axis of
symmetry, or just the axis of the parabola. The line segment through the focus
and perpendicular to the axis of symmetry which is cut-off by the parabola is
called the focal chord or latus rectum, and its length is the focal width. The point of
 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 5

intersection of the axis of symmetry and the parabola is called the vertex. It then
follows by definition that the vertex is equidistant from the focus and the
directrix.
y

Focu
Focal

Verte

Directr
x

Axis of
Symmetry

Standard Equations of Parabola

Let us consider parabolas whose axis of symmetry is parallel to either the x-
axis or the y-axis. To allow any axis of symmetry requires rotating the axes.

Consider a parabola with vertex at (h, k). Let us choose the vertical line x = h – p
as directrix and the point F(h + p, k) as the focus, where p is some real number
with p  0. Note that |p|is the distance from the vertex to either the focus of
the directrix.

Next we let P(x, y) be any point on the parabola and draw the segment PF from
P to the focus. We also draw the line segment PD from P perpendicular to the
directrix and intersecting it at D. See figure below.
Y
x=h-p

V F k

X
h
D P
Directrix

Then by definition of a parabola: PF = PD

Using the distance formula:

PF = √ [ x−( h+ p ) ] 2
+ ( y−k )2
¿ √ [ ( x−h ) − p ] 2
+ ( y−k )2
¿ √ ( x−h )2 −2 p ( x−h ) + p2 + ( y−k )2

PD = √[ x− ( h− p ) ] 2 + ( y− y ) = √ ( x−h ) +2 p ( x−h ) + p2
2 2

Since PF = PD, it follows that PF2 = PD2, hence

 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 6

( x−h )2 −2 p ( x−h )+ p 2 + ( y−k )2 = ( x−h )2 +2 p ( x−h ) + p2

Cancelling identical terms gives

-2p(x – h) + (y – k)2 = 2p(x – h)
(y – k)2 = 4p(x – h)

Therefore we have the following conclusion:

An equation of the parabola with its vertex at (h, k) and focus at (h + p,

k) is

(y – k)2 = 4p(x – h) (1)

Remember that p may be positive or negative.

In a similar manner, we can show that an equation of the parabola with

the vertex at (h, k) and focus (h, k + p) is

(x – h)2 = 4p(y – k) (2)

Note:
5. The length of the focal chord of the parabola is 4 |p|. The distance
between the vertex and the focus is |p|.
6. For equation (a):

(y – k)2 = +4p(x – h)  parabola opens to the right (1-a)

(y – k)2 = -4p(x – h)  parabola opens to the left (1-b)

The axis of symmetry is parallel to the Y axis; the equation of

the axis of symmetry is y = k with directrix x = h – p.

3. For equation (b):

(x – h)2 = +4p(y – k)  parabola opens upward (2-a)

(x – h)2 = -4p(y – k)  parabola opens downward (2-b)

The axis of symmetry is parallel to the X axis; the equation of

the axis of symmetry is x = h with directrix y = k – p.

If V(0, 0), equations (1) and (2) reduces to the following special form:

y2 = 4px (3)
x2 = 4py (4)

General Equations of Parabola

We note that each equation (1) and (2) is quadratic in one variable and linear in
the other variable. This fact can be expressed more vividly if we perform the
indicated squares and transpose terms to obtain the general forms
x2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 (5)
 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 7

y2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 (6)

Sample Problems:
I. Find the equation of and sketch each parabola described in the following
problems.
1. Vertex at (5, 1), focus at (7, 1)
2. Focus at (6, -4), vertex at (6, -1)
3. Vertex at (5, 0), y = -8 as directrix
4. Focus at (7, 2), x = 11 as directrix
5. Vertex at (5, 2), ends of focal chord at (3, 6) and (3, -2)
6. Vertex at (3, 5), ends of focal chord at (5, 6) and (1, 6)
7. Vertex at (5, 2), axis parallel to x axis, through (9, 6)
8. Axis parallel to the y-axis, vertex at (1, 1), through (-3, 3)

II. Put each of the following equations to standard form and give the vertex and
focus. Sketch the graph.
1. y2 – 4y – 4x = 0
2. y2 + 2y + 6x – 17 = 0
3. x2 – 4x – 4y -8 = 0
4. x2 + 6x + 8y + 41 = 0

III. Applications
1. Locate the focus of a parabolic reflector that is 12 in. wide and 4 in.
deep.
2. Assume that water issuing from the end of a horizontal pipe 25 ft above
the ground describes a parabolic curve, the vertex of the parabola being
at the end of the pipe. If at a point 8 ft below the line of the pipe flow of
water has curved outward 10 ft beyond a vertical line through the end of
the pipe, how far beyond this vertical line will the water strike the
ground?

Exercises 1
I. Find the vertex, focus, and directrix of the parabola, and sketch its graph.
1. y = 2x2 5. y2 – 2y – 4x +9 = 0
2. y = -8x
2
6. x + 6x – y + 11 = 0
2

3. x = 2y2 7. y2 – 4y – 2x – 4 = 0
4. x = -12y
2
8. 2x – 8x – y + 5 = 0
2

II. Find an equation of the parabola that satisfies the conditions.

1. Focus (3, 0), directrix x = -3
2. Focus (0, -2), directrix y = 2
3. Vertex (2, 2), focus (3/2, 2)
4. Vertex (1, -2), directrix y = 1
5. Axis parallel to the y-axis, passes through (-3, 2), (0, -5/2), and (1, -6)
6. Ends of focal chord at (3, 12) and (3, -4), vertex at (-1, 4)
7. Axis parallel to the y-axis, vertex at (1, 1), through (-3, 3)
8. Vertex at (6, -1), axis parallel to x-axis, through (2, 3)

III. Applications
1. A parabolic arch has a height of 20 m and a width of 36 m at the base. If
the vertex of the parabola is at the top of the arch, at which height above
the base is it 18 m wide?
 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 8

2. The cable of a suspension bridge hangs in the form of a parabola when

the load is uniformly distributed horizontally. The distance between two
towers is 150 m, the points of support of the cable on the towers are 22
m above the roadway, and the lowest point on the cable is 7 m above the
roadway. Find the vertical distance to the cable from a point in the
roadway 15 m from the foot of a tower.
3. If a ball is thrown at an angle of 45 0 with the horizontal and an initial
velocity of V0 ft/s, it follows a path whose equation is approximately y = x
– 32x2/V20. If V0 is 96, find the horizontal distance traveled and the
greatest height reached by the ball.
4. The points A(0, 0) , B, and C lie on the parabola y = x2/2 as shown in the
figure below. If ABC is equilateral, determine the coordinates of B and
C. y

C B

x
A

V. THE ELLIPSE

Definition of Ellipse
An ellipse is the set of all points in a plane such that the sum of the
distance of each point from two fixed points is the same. The fixed points
are called the foci, and the line through the foci is called the axis of symmetry.

Standard Equation of Ellipse

We choose the axis of symmetry to be parallel to either the x-axis or the y-axis.
To derive the equation of an ellipse, we take the axis of symmetry to be parallel
to the X axis and choose the foci to be at

F1(h – c, k) and F2(h + c, k)

Y
P

k V1 V2
F1 F2
C

X
h
 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 9

Let: P(x, y) be any point on the ellipse Vertices V1(h – a, k) and V2(h +
a, k)
Center = (h, k) V1V2 = 2a
Foci F1(h – c, k) and F2(h + c, k) F1F2 = 2c

Then by the definition of the ellipse:

F1P + F2P = 2a

Using the distance formula

√ ( x−h+c)2 + ( y−k )2 + √ ( x−h−c )2 + ( y−k )2 = 2a
If we think of (x – h) as a single term, isolate the first radical, square and solve
for the only remaining radical, we get

√ [ ( x−h ) −c ] 2 + ( y−k )2 = a − ca ( x−h )

If we square, collect coefficients of like terms, and divide by a 2 – c2, we obtain
( x−h )2 ( y−k )2
+ 2 2 =1
a2 a −b

Since the distance between F1 and F2 is 2c and the sum of the distances F 1P
and F2P, and since the sum of two sides of a triangle is greater than the third
side, it follows that a2 - c2 is positive. We replace it by b2 and have
( x−h )2 ( y−k )2
+ =1
a2 b2 (1)

in which b = √ a2 − c2 < a
The ratio c/a is called the eccentricity of the ellipse. The point (h, k) that is midway
between the foci is called the center. The intersections of an ellipse and its axis
are known as the vertices. The lengths a and b are the semi-major and semi-minor axes,
respectively.

Thus, from equation (1):

Center = (h, k)
Major axis parallel to the x-axis
Semi-axes a and b

It can be shown similarly that

( y−k )2 ( x −h )2
+ =1
a2 b2 (2)

Center = (h, k)
Major axis parallel to the Y axis
 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 10

Semi-axes a and b

A latus rectum, or focal chord, of an ellipse is defined to be the segment of a line

through a focus and perpendicular to the major axis intercepted by the ellipse.

The length of the focal chord = 2b2/a

For ellipse with center at (0, 0), equations (1) and (2) reduces to
x2 y 2
+ =1
a2 b 2 (3)

Center = (0, 0)
Major axis is the x-axis
Semi-axes a and b
y 2 x2
+ =1
a2 b2 (4)

Center = (0, 0)
Major axis is the y-axis
Semi-axes a and b

Sample Problems
I. In each of the following problems, find the coordinates of the center, foci,
vertices, and ends of focal chords. Sketch each ellipse.
( x−1 )2 ( y −2 )2 ( y−2 )2 ( x+1 )2
2
+ 2
=1 2
+ 2
=1
1. 5 4 3. 5 3
( x+3 )2 y 2 ( y+ 4 )2 ( x−1 ) 2
+ 2 =1 + =1
2. 82 5 4. 10
2
42

II. Find the equation of the ellipse described in the following problems. Sketch
each one after finding the coordinates of the center, the vertices, the foci, and
ends of focal chord.
1. a = 5, b = 3, major axis parallel to the X axis, center at (2, 4)
2. Center at (-3, -1), a vertex at (2, -1), a focus at (1, -1)
3. Vertices at ((-4, -1) and (6, -1), a focus at (5, -1)
4. Foci at (-√ 11 , 5) and (√ 11 , 5) and a vertex at (6, 5)
5. Ends of minor axis at (5, -2) and (1, -2) and a vertex at (3, 3)
6. A vertex at (3, 2), a focus at (7+√ 7 , 2) and an end of minor axis (7, -1)

III. Put the equation in each of the following problems and find the center,
vertices, and foci.
1. 9x2 + 4y2 – 36x – 8y + 4 = 0
2. 16x2 + 4y2 + 32x + 16y – 32 = 0

IV. Applications
1. An arch in the form of a semi ellipse is 48 ft wide at the base and has a
height of 20 ft. How wide is the arch at a height of 10 ft above the base?
 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 11

2. The ceiling in a hallway 10 m wide is in the shape of a semi-ellipse and is

9 m high in the center and 6 m high at the side walls. Find the height of
the ceiling 2 m from either wall.
3. The arch of a bridge is in the shape of a semi-ellipse having a horizontal
span of 4o m and a height of 16 m at its center. How high is the arch 9 m
to the right or left of the center?
4. The orbit of the earth around the sun is elliptical in shape with the sun at
one focus and a semi-major axis if length 92.96 million miles. If the
eccentricity of the ellipse is 0.0167, find a) how close the earth gets to
the sun and b) the greatest possible distance between the earth and the
sun.
5. Suppose that the orbit of a planet is in the shape of an ellipse with a
major axis whose length is 500 million km. If the distance between the
foci is 400 million km, find an equation of the orbit.

Exercises 2
I. Sketch the ellipse whose equation is given. Determine the center, foci and
vertices
( x−2 )2 ( y+1 )2
2
+ 2
=1
1. 5 3
( y+ 4 )2 ( x−2 )2
+ =1
2. 52 42
3. 9x2 + 4y2 – 36x – 8y + 4 = 0
4. 16x2 + 4y2 + 32x + 16y – 32 = 0

II. Find the equation of the ellipse described in the following problems. Sketch
each one after finding the coordinates of the center, the vertices, the foci, and
ends of focal chord.
1. Major axis parallel to the x-axis, center at (3, 2), a = 5, and b = 4
2. Center at (1, -1), a focus at (3, 1), and a vertex at (4, 1)
3. Ends of minor axis at (-4, 3) and (6, 3) and a vertex at (1, 0)
4. A vertex at (3, 2), a focus at (7 + 7, 2) and an end of the minor axis at (7,
-1)

III. Find an equation that is satisfied by the points described in each of the
following problems.
1. The distance of each point from (6, 0) is one-half its distance from the y-
axis.
2. The distance of each point from (3, -5) is three-fourths its distance from y
= 1.
3. The sum of the distances of each point (4, 7) and (4, 10) is 9

VI. THE HYPERBOLA

Definition of Hyperbola
The hyperbola is the set of all points in a plane such that the difference of
the distances of each from two fixed points is the same constant. The
fixed points are the called the foci, and the line through them is the axis.

Standard Equation of Hyperbola

 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 12

To derive the equation, let us choose the position of the coordinate axes so that
the foci are at F1(h – c, k) and F2(h + c, k), as shown in the figure below.
Y

F1(h – c, k) F2(h + c, k)

P(x, y)

If we let P(x, y) be any point on the hyperbola and 2a be the difference of its
distances from the foci, then by definition

|F 1 P| − |F 2 P| = ±2a
Translating the equation in terms of x and y by using the distance formula, we
obtain

√ ( x−h+c)2 + ( y−k )2 − √( x−h−c )2 + ( y−k )2 = ±2a

Consider (x – h) as a single term, isolate the first radical, square and solve for
the only remaining radical, we obtain
c
√ 2
± [ ( x−h ) − c ] + ( y−k )2 =
a
( x −h ) − a

Squaring both sides, collect coefficients of like terms, divide by a 2 – c2, and
write – (c2 – a2) in place of a2 – c2, we obtain

( x−h )2 ( y−k )2
− 2 2 =1
a2 c −a

The inequality a < c holds since the difference between two sides of a triangle
is less than the third side. Therefore, c 2 – a2 is positive. Replacing c2 – a2 by b2,
we have

( x−h )2 ( y−k )2
− =1
a2 b2

where b = √ c 2 −a2
The ratio c/a is called the eccentricity of the hyperbola. The point midway between
the foci is called the center. The intersections of hyperbola and its axis are
known as the vertices. The numbers a and b are called the lengths if the semi-
transverse and semi-conjugate axes, respectively.

( x−h )2 ( y−k )2
− =1
a2 b2 (1)
 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 13

Center at (h, k)
Transverse axis parallel to the X axis
Semi-axes a and b

Similarly, it can be shown that

( y−k )2 ( x−h )2
− =1
a2 b2 (2)

Center at (h, k)
Transverse axis parallel to the Y axis
Semi-axes a and b

Equations (1) and (2) are called standard equation of hyperbola.

The length of latus rectum, or focal chord, of a hyperbola is defined to be the

segment of a line through a focus and perpendicular to the axis that is
intercepted by the hyperbola.
Length of latus rectum = 2b2/a
Asymptotes
If we solve equation (1) for y – k, we get

√
2
b b a
y−k = ± √ ( x−h )2 −a2 = ± ( x−h ) 1−
a a ( x −h )2

If the value of h is fixed, the value of (x – h) becomes larger as x does. Hence,

for a fixed, the value of a2/(x – h)2 approaches zero as x becomes larger.
Consequently, the radicand 1 - a2/(x –h)2 approaches 1, and we see that the
( x−h )2 ( y−k )2
2
− 2
=1
hyperbola a b approaches the line

b
y−k = ± ( x−h )
a  Asymptotes of the hyperbola (1)

as x becomes larger.

Note: The formula can be obtained easily be replacing 1 from the equation of
the hyperbola and solve for y – k.

The asymptotes for equation (2) of the hyperbola can be obtained in a similar
manner. Thus,

a
y−k = ± ( x−h )
b  Asymptotes of hyperbola (2)
Y

LR1 LR3

F V1 C V2 F
 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 14

Legend:
C = (h, k)
V1= (h – a, k) V2 = (h + a, k)
F1 = (h – c, k) F2 = (h + c, k)
LR1 = (h – c, k + b2/a) LR3 = (h + c, k + b2/a)
LR2 = (h – c, k - b2/a) LR4 = (h – c, k – b2/a)

Sample Problems
I. In each of the following problems, find the coordinates of the center, foci,
vertices, and ends of the focal chord. Sketch each hyperbola and its
asymptotes.
1 ( x−1 )2 ( y−2 )2 2. ( y−2 )2 ( x +1 )2
. − =1 − =1
42 32 42 32
3 ( x+3 )2 y 2 4. ( y+ 4 )2 ( x−1 )2
. − 2 =1 − 2 =1
122 5 42 15

II. Find the equation of each hyperbola described in the following problems.
Sketch the graph of each.
1. a = 4, b = 3, transverse axis parallel to the X axis, center at (2, 4)
2. a = 5, b = 4, transverse axis parallel to the Y axis, center at (1, -3)
3. Center at (-3, -1), a vertex at (1, -1), a focus at (2, -1)
4. Foci at (-8, 3) and (4, 3), a vertex at (3, 3)
5. An end of conjugate axis at (4, 6), a vertex at (8, 3), a focus at (-1, 3)
6. Endpoints of its conjugate axis at (0, -3) and (0, 3), and one focus at (5, 0)
7. Center at the origin, its foci on the Y axis, and passing through the points
(-2, 4) and (-6, 7)
8. Foci at (-1, 4) and (7, 4) and length of the transverse axis is 8/3
9. One focus at (-3, -3√ 13 ), asymptotes intersecting at (-3, 1), and one
asymptote passing through the point (1, 7)
10. Foci at (3, 6) and (3, 0) and passing through the point (5, 3
+ 6/5√ 5

III. Miscellaneous Problems

1. The vertices of a hyperbola are at (-3, -1) and (-1, -1) and the distance
between the foci is2 √ 5 . Find a) an equation of the hyperbola and b)
equations of the asymptotes.
2. The foci of a hyperbola are at (2, 7) and (2, -7) and the distance between
the vertices is8 √ 3 . Find a) an equation of the hyperbola and b) equations
of the asymptotes.
 Lecture Notes 4 – Graphs of Quadratic Functions 15

3. Find an equation of the hyperbola whose foci are the vertices of the
ellipse 7x2 + 11y2 = 77 and whose vertices are the foci of this ellipse.
4. The cost of the production of a commodity is $12 less per unit at a point
A than it is at a point B, and the distance between A and B is 100 km.
Assuming that the route of delivery of the commodity is along a straight
line and that the delivery cost is 20 cents per unit per kilometer, find the
curve at any point of which the commodity can be supplied from either A
or B at the same total cost. (Hint: Take points A and B at (-50, 0) and (50,
0) respectively.)

Exercises 3
I. Determine the coordinates of the center, foci, vertices and asymptotes, then
sketch the hyperbola.
( x−2 )2 ( y +1 )2
− =1
1. 42 32
( y+ 4 )2 ( x−2 )2
2
− 2
=1
2. 3 4
3. 9x2 – 4y2 – 36x + 8y – 4 = 0
4. 25y2 – 144x2 + 576x + 100y = 4076

II. Find an equation of the hyperbola described in each of the following

problems.
1. Transverse axis parallel to thye x-axis, center at (3, 2), a = 3 and b = 4
2. Center at (-1, 1), a focus at (4, 1), and a vertex at (3, 1)
3. Vertices at (-2, 8) and (-2, -6), and a focus at (-2, 26)
4. Ends of conjugate axis at (5, -2) and (1, -2) and a vertex at (3, 3)
5. A vertex at (11, 2), a focus at (12, 2), and an end of the conjugate axis at
(7, 5)