Conic Sections

Hyperbolas

Definition
The conic section formed
by a plane which intersects
both of the right conical
surfaces
Formed when 0
or when the plane is
parallel to the axis
of the cone

Definition
A hyperbola is the set of all points in the
plane where
The difference between the distances
From two fixed points (foci)
Is a constant

PF2 PF1 k

k 2a

Geogebra
Demonstration

Experimenting with Definition

Turn on Explore geometric definition. A purple point will

appear on the hyperbola, along with two line segments
labeled L1 and L2. Drag the purple point around the
hyperbola.

Do the lengths of L1 and L2 change?

What do you notice about the absolute value of the differences of the
lengths?
How do these observations relate to the geometric definition of a
hyperbola.

Observe the values of L1, L2, and the difference | L1 L2 |

as you vary the values of a and b.

How is the difference | L1 L2 | related to the values of a and/or b?

(Hint: Think about multiples.)
Determine the difference | L1 L2 | for a hyperbola where a = 3 and
b = 4. Use the Gizmo to check your answer.

Elements of An Ellipse
Transverse axis
Line joining the

intercepts

Conjugate axis
Passes through

center, perpendicular
to transverse axis

Vertices
Points where hyperbola intersects transverse

axis

Elements of An Ellipse
Transverse Axis
Length = 2a

Foci
Location (-c, 0), (c, 0)

Asymptotes
Experiment with Pythagorean relationship

Equations of An Ellipse
Given equations of ellipse

x
y
2 1
2
a b

Centered at origin
Opening right and left
Equations of

asymptotes

b
y x
a

Opening up and down

Equations of

asymptotes

a
y x
b

b
y x
a

y 2 x2
2 1
2
a
b
a
y x
b

Try It Out
Find

x
y

1
25 36

The center
Vertices
Foci

y 2

Asymptotes

36

x 1

49

4 x 25 y 16 x 50 y 109 0
2

More Trials and Tribulations

Find the equation in standard form of the
hyperbola that satisfies the stated conditions.
Vertices at (0, 2) and (0, -2),

foci (0, 3) and (0, -3)

Foci (1, -2) and (7, -2)

slope of an asymptote = 5/4

Assignment
Hyperbola A
Exercise set 6.3
Exercises 1 25 odd
and 33 45 odd

Conic Sections

Eccentricity of a Hyperbola
The hyperbola can be wide or narrow

Eccentricity of a Hyperbola
As with eccentricity of
c
eccentricity

an hyperbola, the formula is

a

Note that for

hyperbolas c > a
Thus eccentricity > 1

Try It Out
If the vertices are (1, 6) and (1, 8) and the
eccentricity is 5/2
Find the equation (standard form) of the

hyperbola

The center of the hyperbola is at (-3, -3) and

the conjugate axis has length 6, and the
eccentricity = 2
Find two possible hyperbola equations

Application Locating Position

For any point on a hyperbolic curve
Difference between distances to foci is constant.

Result: hyperbolas can be used to locate

enemy guns
If the sound of an enemy gun is heard at two
listening posts and the difference in time is
calculated, then the gun is known to be located
on a particular hyperbola. A third listening post
will determine a second hyperbola, and then
the gun emplacement can be spotted as the
intersection of the two hyperbolas.

Application Locating Position

The loran system navigator
equipped with a map that gives curves, called loran lines

of position.
Navigators find the time interval between these curves,
Narrow down the area that their craft's position is in.

Then switch to a different pair of loran transmitters

Repeat the procedure
Find another curve

representing the craft's

position.

Construction
Consider a
the blue string
Keep marker
against ruler
and with string
tight
Keep end of
ruler on focus
F1 , string tied to other end

Graphing a Hyperbola on the TI

As with the ellipse, the hyperbola is not a
function
Possible to solve for y
Get two expressions
Graph each

What happens
if it opens
right and left?

Graphing a Hyperbola on the TI

Top and bottom of hyperbola branches are
graphed separately
As with ellipses

you must

Ellipse with
Geogebra

Assignment
Hyperbolas 2
Exercise Set 6.3
Exercises 27 31 odd
and 49 63 odd