Proof without Words: Surprising Property of Hyperbolas Author(s): Tom M. Apostol and Mamikon A.

Mnatsakanian Source: Mathematics Magazine, Vol. 79, No. 5 (Dec., 2006), p. 339 Published by: Mathematical Association of America Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27642968 . Accessed: 25/07/2011 11:36
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ProofWithout Words: Surprising Property of Hyperbolas

For each member of the family of hyperbolas with the same pair of vertices, every circle tangent to both branches intersects each asymptote along a chord of constant of the location of the circle and the angle between the asymptotes. length, regardless This constant length is the distance between vertices.

?Tom

M. Ap?stol

and Mamikon

A. Mnatsakanian Project Mathematics! 253-37 Caltech CA 91125 Pasadena,