10-4

Hyperbolas

Battle of the CSTs

Lesson Presentation
Lesson Quiz

Objectives
Write the standard equation for a
hyperbola.

Graph a hyperbola, and identify its

center, vertices, co-vertices, foci, and
asymptotes.

What would happen if you pulled the two foci

of an ellipse so far apart that they moved
outside the ellipse? The result would be a
hyperbola, another conic section.
A hyperbola is a set of points P(x, y) in a
plane such that the difference of the distances
from P to fixed points F1 and F2, the foci, is
constant. For a hyperbola, d = |PF1 PF2 |,
where d is the constant difference. You can use
the distance formula to find the equation of a
hyperbola.

Example 1: Using the Distance Formula to Find the

Constant Difference of a Hyperbola
Find the constant difference for a hyperbola with foci
F1 (8, 0) and F2 (8, 0) and the point on the hyperbola (8, 30).
Definition of the constant difference
d = |PF1 PF2 |
of a hyperbola.
Distance Formula

Substitute.

Simplify.

d=4
The constant difference is 4.

Check for understanding

Find the constant difference for a hyperbola with foci
F1 (0, 10) and F2 (0, 10) and the point on the hyperbola (6, 7.5).

d = |PF1 PF2 | Definition of the constant difference of a

hyperbola.
Distance Formula

Substitute.

Simplify.
d = 12
The constant difference is 12.

As the graphs in the following table show, a hyperbola

contains two symmetrical parts called branches.
A hyperbola also has two axes of symmetry. The
transverse axis of symmetry contains the vertices
and, if it were extended, the foci of the hyperbola. The
vertices of a hyperbola are the endpoints of the
transverse axis.
The conjugate axis of symmetry separates the two
branches of the hyperbola. The co-vertices of a
hyperbola are the endpoints of the conjugate axis.
The transverse axis is not always longer than the
conjugate axis.

The standard form of the equation of a hyperbola

depends on whether the hyperbolas transverse axis is
horizontal or vertical.

The values a, b, and c, are related by the equation

c2 = a2 + b2. Also note that the length of the
transverse axis is 2a and the length of the conjugate is
2b.

Example 2A: Writing Equations of Hyperbolas

Write an equation in standard form for the
hyperbola.
Step 1 Identify the form of the equation.
The graph opens horizontally, so the
equation will be in the form of:
x2
a2

y2
2 = 1
b

Step 2 Identify the center and the vertices.

The center of the graph is (0, 0), and the vertices are
(6, 0) and (6, 0), and the co-vertices are (0, 6),
and (0, 6). So a = 6, and b = 6.
Step 3 Write the equation.
Because a = 6 and b = 6, the equation of the graph
2
2
2
2
y
y
x
x
is

= 1, or

= 1.
62

62

36

36

Example 2B: Writing Equations of Hyperbolas

Write an equation in standard form for each

hyperbola.
The hyperbola with center at the origin,
vertex (4, 0), and focus (10, 0).
Step 1 Because the vertex and the focus are on the
horizontal axis, the transverse axis is
horizontal and the equation is in the form
2
x2 y = 1 .
2
a2

Step 2 Use a = 4 and c = 10; Use c2 = a2 + b2 to

solve for b2.
102 = 42 + b2 Substitute 10 for c, and 4 for a. 84 = b2

Step 3 The equation of the hyperbola is

x2
16

y2

= 1.
84

Check for understanding

Write an equation in standard form for each
hyperbola. Vertex (0, 9), co-vertex (7, 0)
Step 1 Because the vertex is on the vertical
axis, the transverse axis is vertical and the
2
2
x
y
equation is in the form 2
.
2 = 1
a

Step 2 a = 9 and b = 7.

Step 3 Write the equation.

Because a = 9 and b = 7, the equation of the

graph is

y2
92

2
x2
y
, or
2 = 1
7
81

x2

= 1.
49

As with circles and ellipses, hyperbolas do not

have to be centered at the origin.

Example 3A: Graphing a Hyperbola

Find the vertices, co-vertices, and asymptotes of
each hyperbola, and then graph.
x2
49

y2
=1
9

2
x
Step 1 The equation is in the form 2
a

y2
2 = 1
b

so the transverse axis is horizontal with

center (0, 0).
Step 2 Because a = 7 and b = 3, the vertices are
(7, 0) and (7, 0) and the co-vertices are
(0, 3) and (0, 3).
Step 3 The equations of the asymptotes are
y=

3
7

and y =

3
7

x.

Example 3A Continued

Step 4 Draw a box by using

the vertices and covertices. Draw the
asymptotes through
the corners of the box.

Step 5 Draw the hyperbola

by using the vertices
and the asymptotes.

Example 3B: Graphing a Hyperbola

Find the vertices, co-vertices, and asymptotes of
each hyperbola, and then graph.
(x 3)2
(y + 5)2

=1
9
49

Step 1 The equation is in the form

(x h)2
(y k)2

= 1 , so the transverse axis

2
2
a
b
is horizontal with center (3, 5).
Step 2 Because a = 3 and b =7
(3 + 3, 5) and (3 3, 5) (6, -5) and (0, -5)
(3, 5 + 7) and (3, 5 - 7) (3, 2) and (3, -12)

Example 3B Continued
Step 3 The equations of the asymptotes are
7
(x 3) and y +5 =
3
7
7
y=
x 12 and y=
x+2
3
3

y+5=

Step 4 Draw a box by using

the vertices and covertices. Draw the
asymptotes through
the corners of the box.

Step 5 Draw the hyperbola

by using the vertices
and the asymptotes.

7
3

(x 3)

Check for understanding

Find the vertices, co-vertices, and asymptotes of
2
x2 y = 1
each hyperbola, and then graph.
16
2
x
Step 1 The equation is in the form 2
a

36
y2
so
2 = 1
b

the transverse axis is horizontal with center

(0, 0).
Step 2 Because a = 4 and b = 6, the vertices are
(4, 0) and (4, 0) and the co-vertices are
(0, 6) and . (0, 6).
Step 3 The equations of the asymptotes are
y=

3
2

and y =

3
x .
2

Check for understanding continued

Step 4 Draw a box by using

the vertices and covertices. Draw the
asymptotes through
the corners of the box.

Step 5 Draw the hyperbola

by using the vertices
and the asymptotes.