Module 4: HYPERBOLAS
I – LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE LESSON
At the end of the lesson, the student is able to:
1. define a hyperbola;
2. determine the standard form of equation of a hyperbola; and
3. graph a hyperbola in a rectangular coordinate system.
II – REFERENCES
Pelias, John Gabriel P. 2016. Pre – Calculus. Rex Book Store. Manila
Garces, Ian June L., Ph.D. 2016. Pre – Calculus. Published by the Commission on Higher Education in
collaboration with the Philippine Normal University.
III – LEARNING CONTENT
Introduction
A 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.
Definition and Equation of a Hyperbola
Definition
A hyperbola is the locus of all points in the plane; the absolute difference of whose distances from two
fixed points F 1 and F 2 is a constant. Each of the two fixed points is called a focus of the hyperbola (Foci, plural
form).
Consider the points F 1(5 ,0) and F 2(5 ,0) as shown in Figure 1.21. What is the absolute value of the difference
of the distances of A(3.75 ,−3) from F 1 and from F 2? How about the absolute value of the difference of the
distances of B ¿from F 1 and from F 2?
| A F 1− A F2|=|9.25−3.25|=6
¿ A F1 −A F 2∨¿∨9.25−3.25∨¿6
There are other points P such that ¿ PF 1−PF 2∨¿ 6 . The collection of all such points forms a shape called a
hyperbola, which consists of two disjoint branches. For points P on the left branch, |PF 2−PF 1|=6; for those on
the right branch, ¿ PF1−PF 2∨¿ 6 .
Center – midpoint of F 1 and F 2 or V 1 and V 2.
Principal Axis of the Hyperbola – is a line that passes through the foci.
A hyperbola is always symmetric about its principal axis.
The principal axis will always hit the parabola at exactly two points V 1 and V 2 which are called the
vertices of the hyperbola.
The hyperbola shares a lot in common with the ellipse except the ellipse is closed while the hyperbola
consists of two branches opening indefinitely in opposing directions.
Equations of a Hyperbola with center at the origin
√
Let c >a> 0 and b= c 2+ a2. An equation of the hyperbola whose center is at the origin with:
1. foci at F 1 (−c , 0 ) and F 2 ( c , 0 ) and vertices V 1 (−a , 0 ) and V 2 ( a , 0 ) is:
2 2
x y
2
− 2 =1
a b
2. foci at F 1 ( 0 , c ) and F 2 ( 0 ,−c ) and vertices V 1 ( 0 , a ) and V 2 ( 0 ,−a ) is:
2 2
y x
2
− 2 =1
a b
ADDENDA
The above forms of the equation of a hyperbola are referred to as the standard forms.
How are a , b , and c are related? We note that b 2=c 2−a 2. That is, c 2=a2+ b2. Thus, c is always the
largest among these three quantities.
As with the ellipse, the foci are still separated by a distance of 2 c .
The segment v 1 v 2 is called the transverse axis of the hyperbola. Like the ellipse’s major axis, its length
is always 2 a . Now, the segment of length 2 b that perpendicularly bisects and is perpendicularly
bisected by the transverse axis is called the conjugate axis. Unlike an ellipse’s minor axis, the
endpoints of the conjugate axis will not be on the hyperbola. In fact, the conjugate axis will never
hit the hyperbola. Unlike in the case of an ellipse, there is no immediate comparison between the
sizes of a and b ; all we know is that c is the largest. Thus, the transverse axis may or may not be
longer than the conjugate axis. To distinguish a from b in the equation, you have to check which
term is involved with the minus sign and which is not. Note that the one together with the minus
sign is always b .
Indeed, the greatest deviation of the hyperbola from the ellipse is this: a< c . This time, the foci are farther
from the center than the vertices. Since the hyperbola must “devour” the foci, the hyperbola then
“devours” away from the center, explaining why its branches open in opposite directions.
b −b
Asymptotes: y= x and y= x , the lines l 1 andl 2in Figure [Link] asymptotes of the hyperbola are
a a
two lines passing through the center which serve as a guide in graphing the hyperbola: each
branch of the hyperbola gets closer and closer to the asymptotes, in the direction towards which
the branch extends. (We need the concept of limits from calculus to explain this.). An aid in
determining the equations of the asymptotes: in the standard equation, replace 1 by 0 , and in the
2 2
x y
resulting equation 2
− 2 =0, solve for y. To help us sketch the asymptotes, we point out that
a b
the asymptotes l 1 andl 2 are the extended diagonals of the auxiliary rectangle drawn in Figure
1.24. This rectangle has sides 2 a and 2 b with its diagonals intersecting at the center C . Two
sides are congruent and parallel to the transverse axis v 1 v 2 . The other two sides are congruent
and parallel to the conjugate axis, the segment shown which is perpendicular to the transverse
axis at the center, and has length 2 b.
Example 1.
2 2
x y
Determine the foci, vertices, and asymptotes of the hyperbola with equation − =1 . Sketch the
9 7
graph, and include these points and lines, the transverse and conjugate axes, and the auxiliary rectangle.
Solution:
a 2=9 then a=3
b =7 then b=√ 7
2
c= √a 2+ b2= √9+7=√ 16=4
Foci: F 1(−4 ,0) and F 2(4 ,0)
Vertices: v 1(−3 ,0) and v 2(3 ,0)
Asymptotes: y=
√ 7 x and y= −√ 7 x .
3 3
The graph is shown at the right. The conjugate axis drawn has its endpoints b=√ 7 ≈ 2.7 units above and
below the center
Example 2.
Find the (standard) equation of the hyperbola whose foci are F 1(−5 ,0) and F 2(5 ,0), such that for any
point on it, the absolute value of the difference of its distances from the foci is 6. See Figure 1.21.
Solution:
2 a=6 , thereforea=3 ~Dividing both side of the equation by 2.
c=5 ~Distance from the center to the foci.
√ √
b= c 2−a2 = 5 2−32
¿ √ 25−9=√ 16=4
2 2 2 2
x y x y
2
− 2
=1 2
− 2
=1 ~Substituting the value of a and b to the
a b 3 4
equation.
2 2
x y
¿ − =1
9 16
Seatwork/ Homework:
2 2
y x
1. Determine foci, vertices, and asymptotes of the hyperbola with equation − =1 . Sketch the graph,
16 20
and include these points and lines, along with the auxiliary rectangle.
2. Find the equation in standard form of the hyperbola whose foci are F 1(−4 √ 2 , 0) and F 2(4 √ 2 , 0), such
that for any point on it, the absolute value of the difference of its distances from the foci is 8.
More Properties of Hyperbolas
√
In all four cases above, we let c= a 2+ b2. The foci F 1 and F 2 are c units away from the center C. The vertices
V 1and V 2are a units away from the center. The transverse axis v 1 v 2 has length 2 a. The conjugate axis has
length 2 b and is perpendicular to the transverse axis. The transverse and conjugate axes bisect each other at
their intersection point, C. Each branch of a hyperbola gets closer and closer to the asymptotes, in the direction
towards which the branch extends. The equations of the asymptotes can be determined by replacing 1 in the
standard equation by 0. The asymptotes can be drawn as the extended diagonals of the auxiliary rectangle
determined by the transverse and conjugate axes. Recall that, for any point on the hyperbola, the absolute value
of the difference of its distances from the foci is 2 a.
In the standard equation, aside from being positive, there are no other restrictions on a and b . In fact, a
and b can even be equal. The orientation of the hyperbola is determined by the variable appearing in the first term
(the positive term): the corresponding axis is where the two branches will open. For example, if the variable in the
first term is x, the hyperbola is “horizontal”: the transverse axis is horizontal, and the branches open to the left and
right in the direction of the x-axis.
Example 3. Give the coordinates of the center, foci, vertices, and asymptotes of the hyperbola with the given
equation. Sketch the graph, and include these points and lines, the transverse and conjugate axes, and the
auxiliary rectangle.
2 2
( y +2) ( x−7 )
1. − =1 2. 4 x 2−5 y 2+32 x +30 y=1
25 9
Solution:
1.
a 2=25 , thereforea=√ 25=5
b =9 , b= √ 9=3
2
c= √ a 2+ b2= √ 52 +32= √ 25+ 9=√ 34 ≈ 5.8
The hyperbola is vertical.
2 2
( y +2) ( x−7 )
Asymptotes: − =0
25 9
( y+ 2 )2 ( x−7 )2 9 ( y +2 )2 25 ( x−7 )2
= → =
25 9 9 9
→ √ ( y +2)2=
5
25
9 √(x−7)2
y +2=± (x−7)
3
(
y=± x−
5
3
35
3
−2 )
y 1=+ ( 53 x− 353 )−2= 53 x− 353 − 63
5 41
y 1= x−
3 3
y 2=− x− (
5
3
35
3
−2=) −5
3
x+ −
35 6
3 3
−5 29
y 2= x+
3 3
Center: C (7 ,−2)
Foci: F 1(7 ,−2−√ 34 )≈ (7 ,−7.8) and F 2(7 ,−2+ √ 34) ≈(7 ,3.8)
Vertices: V 1 (7 ,−7) and V 2 (7 , 3)
The conjugate axis drawn has its endpoints units to the left and right of the center.
2.
We first change the equation to its standard form
( 4 x 2+32 x ) +(−5 y 2+30 y )=1 ~Group terms with the same variable
2 2
4 (x +8 x)−5( y −6 y )=1 ~ Factor out the common in both terms
4 ( x 2+ 8 x +16 )−5 ( y 2−6 y + 9 )=1+ 4 ( 16 ) −5(9) ~Completing the Square
2 2
4 ( x+ 4 ) −5 ( y−3 ) =20
2 2
4 ( x + 4 ) 5 ( y −3 ) 20
− = ~Divide all terms by 20 to make the term on the
20 20 20
right side equal to 1
( x+ 4 )2 ( y−3 )2
− =1
5 4
a 2=5 , a= √ 5 ≈ 2.2 c= √ a 2+ b2= √ 5+ 4=√ 9=3
2
b =4 ,b=2
The hyperbola is horizontal.
( x+ 4 )2 ( y−3 )2
Asymptotes: − =0
5 4
2 2 2 2
( y −3) (x + 4) 5( y −3) 4 ( x +4)
= → =
4 5 5 5
√ [
√( y −3)2= 54 (x+ 4)2 → y −3=± 25 ( x + 4)
√ ]
y=±
2
5 [√ ]
( x+ 4) +3 and solve for y
2x 8 −2 x 8
y 1= + +3 and y 2= − +3
√ 5 √5 √5 √5
Center: C (−4 , 3 )
F 1(−7 , 3)∧F 2 (−1 , 3)
Foci: ~ Add c units to both x -coordinates of foci.
Vertices: V 1 (−4−√ 5 , 3) and V 2 (−4+ √ 5 , 3) ~ Add a units to both x -coordinate of vertices.
V 1 (−6.2 , 3) and V 2 (−1.8 , 3)
The conjugate axis drawn has its endpoints b=2 units above and below the center.
Example 4: The foci of a hyperbola are (−5 ,−3) and (9 ,−3). For any point on the hyperbola, the absolute
value of the difference of its of its distances from the foci is10. Find the standard equation of the hyperbola.
Solution:
The midpoint (2 , 3) of the foci is the center of the hyperbola. The x−¿ coordinate of 2 was obtained by
getting the average of x−¿ coordinate of foci.
Each focus is c=7 units away from the center.
From the given difference, 2 a=10 soa=5.
b 2=c 2−a 2=49−25=24
The hyperbola is horizontal (because the foci are horizontally aligned), so the equation is
( x−h )2 ( y−k )2
− =1
a2 b2
Substituting the value of a 2 , b2 , h ,∧k , the standard equation of the parabola is
( x−2 )2 ( y +3 )2
− =1
25 24
Example 5. A hyperbola has vertices (−4 ,−5) and (−4 , 9), and one of its foci is (−4 , 2−√ 65). Find its
standard equation.
Solution:
The midpoint (−4 , 2) of the vertices is the center of the hyperbola. Y −¿coordinate of 2 was obtained by
getting the average of y−¿coordinates of the vertices.
Each vertex is a=7 units away from the center.
The given focus is c= √ 65 units away from the center.
b 2=c 2−a 2=65−49=16
The hyperbola is vertical because the vertices are vertically aligned, so the equation is
( x−h )2 ( y−k )2
− =1
a2 b2
Substituting the value of a 2 , b2 , h ,∧k , the standard equation of the parabola is
( y−2 )2 ( x + 4 )2
− =1
49 16
Situational Problems Involving Hyperbolas
Example [Link] explosion is heard by two stations 1200 m apart, located at F 1(−600 , 0) and F 2(600 , 0) . If the
explosion was heard in F 1 two seconds before it was heard in F 2, identify the possible locations of the explosion.
Use 340 m/s as the speed of sound.
Solution. Using the given speed of sound, we deduce that the sound traveled 340(2)=680 m farther in reaching
F 2 than in reaching F 2. This is then the difference of the distances of the explosion from the two stations. Thus,
the explosion is on a hyperbola with foci are F 1 and F 2, on the branch closer to F 1.
We have c=600 and 2 a=680, so a=340 and b 2=c 2−a 2=244400. The explosion could therefore be
2 2
x y
anywhere on the left branch of the hyperbola − =1.
115600 244400
