Problems 11.

2 Solutions

1. Find the equation of the parabola whose vertex is at (0,2) and focus is the origin.

Solution. Since both focus and vertex lie on the line x = 0, and the vertex is above the focus,
this parabola opens downward, and has the equation

(y − 2) = −4px2 ,

where p is the distance between focus and vertex, that is p = 2 and the equation is

(y − 2) = −8x2 .

2. Find the vertex of the parabola with focus at (0,7) and passes through the points (±2, 7) and
(±1, 5).

Solution. Since the focus is on the y-axis and the given points are symmetric about that axis, it
is the axis of the parabola, whose equation therefore has the form

y − a = 4px2 ,

where (0, a) is the vertex of the parabola. We have to substitute the given points, and solve for a:
We get the pair of equations

7 − a = 4p(2)2 or7 − a = 16p 5 − a = 4p .

Eliminating p gives the equation 7 − a = 4(5 − a), which has the solution a = 3/13.Thus the vertex
is at (0,3/13).

3. Find the equation of the parabola with focus at (2,3) and directrix the line y = −1.

Solution. Since the axis must be perpendicular to the directrix, it is the line x = 2. The vertex
is midway between focus and directrix, so is at (2, 1), adn p = 2. Thus the equation is

y − 3 = 8(x − 2)2 .

4. Find the foci and eccentricity of the ellipse given by the equation

(x − 1)2 y2
+ =1.
4 16
Solution. For this ellipse, a = 2 and b = 4, so the major axis is the vertical √ line through the
center: x = 1. For vertical ellipses, c2 = b2 − a2 = 12, so the foci are at (1, ±2 3.

5. A hyperbola has vertices at (±3, 0) and foci at (±4, 0). What are the equations of its asymptotes?
√ √
Solution. Here a = 3, c = 4 so b = c2 − a2 = 7, and the asymptotes are given by the equations
√
7
y=± x.
3
1
6. Find the foci and eccentricity of the hyperbola

(y − 2)2 (x + 1)2
− =1.
25 16
Solution. The center of this hyperbola is at (-1,2). SInce the line y = 2 doesn’t
√ hit the
√ hyperbola,
it opens upwards and downwards, and its axis is the line x = −1. c = a2 + b2 = 41, and the
√ √
foci are the points (−1, 2 ± 41). The eccentricity is e = c/b = 41/4.

7. A hyperbola has asymptotes y − 1 = ±0.8(x + 2). What is its eccentricity?

Solution. If the hyperbola has a horizontal axis, we have b/a = 0.8 and e = c/a, with c2 = a2 + b2 .
Thus √ r
c a2 + b2 b √
e= = = 1 + ( )2 = 1.64 = 1.28 .
a a a
If the hyperbola has a vertical axis, we still have b/a = 0.8 but now e = c/b, with c2 = a2 + b2 . In
this case √
√
r
c a2 + b2 a
e= = = 1 + ( )2 = 2.5625 = 1.60 .
b b b

In each of problems 8 through 10, the curve described depends upon a parameter. Identify the
parameter, and find the equation of the curve in terms of the parameter.

8. A parabola with axis the x-axis and focus at the origin.

Solution. The equation of a parabola with axis the x-axis and vertex at (x0 , 0) is

y 2 = 4p(x − x0 )

where p is the separation between the focus and the vertex. Since the focus is at the origin, the
vertex is at (p, 0), thus the desired equation is

y 2 = 4p(x − p)

9. A hyperbola with foci at (-1,0), (1,0).

Solution. Since the foci are on the x-axis and the origin is midway between the foci, this hyperbola
has as its axis the x-axis, and its center is the origin. Place the vertices at the points (±v, 0), with
v < 1. Then, since b2 = c2 − a2 = 1 − v 2 , the desired equation is

x2 y2
− =1
v2 1 − v2
10. An ellipse with foci at (-1,0), (1,0).

Solution. Since the foci are on the x-axis and the origin is midway between the foci, this ellipse
has as its axis the x-axis, and its center is the origin. Place the vertices at the points (±u, 0), with
u > 1. Then, since b2 = a2 − c2 = u2 − 1, the desired equation is

x2 y2
+ =1
u2 u2 − 1

2
11. Show that the hyperbola and the ellipse of problems 9 and 10 intersect orthogonally; that is,
at a point of intersection their tangent lines are orthogonal.

Solution. Let x, y be a point of intersection of the hyperbola of problem 9 and the ellipse of
problem 10. We find the slopes mE and mH of the tangent lines to the ellipse and hyperbola
respectively by differentiating the respective defining equations:

2xdx 2ydy x u2 − 1
ellipse E : 2
+ 2 =0 so that mE = − ,
u u −1 y u2

2xdx 2ydy x 1 − v2
hyperbola H 2
− =0 so that mH = .
v 1 − v2 y v2

Now (x, y) satisfies both the defining equation of E and that of H. Subtracting the H-equation
from the E-equation we get

1 1
1 1
2
2
− 2 x2 + 2 + y =0,
u v u − 1 1 − v2

giving us
1 1
x2 u2 −1 + 1−v 2
= − 1 1 .
y2 u2 − v2

Finally we calculate mE mH :
1 1  (u2 − 1)(1 − v 2 )]  1 − v 2 + u2 − 1

u2 −1 + 1−v 2
mE mH =− − 1 1 = = −1 ,
u2 − v2
u2 v 2 v 2 − u2

so the curves are perpendicular.