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Hyperbola: Definition and Equation

1. A hyperbola is a conic section with two unbounded branches extending in opposite directions from each other. 2. The equation of a horizontal hyperbola centered at the origin is x^2/a^2 - y^2/b^2 = 1, where a and b are the distances to the foci and a>b. 3. Hyperbolas can model scenarios where the absolute value of the difference between two distances must be greater than a certain value.

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NixZ Teruel2
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23 views1 page

Hyperbola: Definition and Equation

1. A hyperbola is a conic section with two unbounded branches extending in opposite directions from each other. 2. The equation of a horizontal hyperbola centered at the origin is x^2/a^2 - y^2/b^2 = 1, where a and b are the distances to the foci and a>b. 3. Hyperbolas can model scenarios where the absolute value of the difference between two distances must be greater than a certain value.

Uploaded by

NixZ Teruel2
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

A.

Definition and Equation of a Hyperbola


Hyperbola is one of the conic sections that most students have not
encountered formally before, unlike circles and parabolas. Its graph consists of
two unbounded branches which extend in opposite directions. It is a
misconception that each branch is a parabola. This is not true, as parabolas and
hyperbolas have very different features. An application of hyperbolas in basic
location and navigation schemes.

Consider the points F 1(−5 ,0) and F 2(5 ,0), as shown in figure. What is the absolute
difference of the distances of A(3.75 ,−3) from F 1 and from F 2? How about the absolute
16
value of the difference of the distances of B(−5 , ) from F 1 and from F 2 is?
3

i. | A F 1+ A F 2|=|9.25−3.25|=10
ii. |163 − 343|=10
|B F1 + B F 2|=

There are other points P such that ¿ P F 1−P F 2∨¿ 6. The


collection of all such points form a shape called a
hyperbola, which consists of two disjoint branches.

b2 x 2 a2 y 2 a 2 b 2 Divide both side by


− =
a2 b2 a 2 b2 a 2 b 2 a 2 b2 to make the
equation equal to 1

x2 y 2 Simplify and the whole


− =1
a2 b2 equation

Therefore, the equation of a hyperbola with a horizontal orientation and a center at the
x2 y 2
origin is 2 − 2 =1, where a> b and c= √a 2−b2 .
a b

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