Hyperbolas

x2 y2

1.
In the last section, we graphed ellipses of the form:
a2 b2

We will now focus on equations of the

form:
y2 x2
x2 y2
2 1.
2 1 and
2
2
b
a
a
b
Please note the minus in the middle. A + in the middle makes the graph an
ellipse. A minus in the middle will give us a hyperbola which looks like the following
graphs below.

x2 y2

1
a2 b2

y2 x2

1
b2 a2

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1

Hyperbolas
Definition: A hyperbola is the collection of all points in the plane the difference of
whose distance from two fixed points called the foci is a positive constant.
(0,c)

vertices

(-c,0)

(-a,0)

(a,0)

(c,0)

vertices

(0,b)

foci

(0,-b)

(0,-c)
foci

Vertical Transverse Axis

Horizontal Transverse Axis

A hyperbola which opens left and right has a horizontal transverse axis. A
hyperbola which opens up and down has a vertical transverse axis. The midpoint
of the transverse axis is the center.

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Hyperbolas

Standard Equation: Hyperbola with Transverse Axis on the x Axis

(Opens Left and Right)
The standard equation of a hyperbola with its center at (0,0) and its transverse
axis on the
x2 x axis
y2 is

1
a2 b2

c2 and
a2 b2.
where the vertices are (-a,0) and (a,0), and the foci are at (-c,0) and (c,0),
The hyperbolas shape will also be determined by two asymptotes. The equation
of these asymptotes are the lines:
b
y x
a
Some instructors will require you to state the equations of these asymptotes and
other instructors may not. The equations of the asymptotes are simple to state when
the center is at the origin. If the center is not at the origin, the equation of the
asymptotes are:
b
y x h k
a

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Hyperbolas

Example 1. Find the vertices, the foci, and sketch the hyperbola
x2 y2
Compare to the standard form 2 2 1 to determine a and b.
a b
Plot all four of these points (-3,0), (3,0), (0,2) and (0,-2).

x2
y2

1.
9
4
Center: (0, 0)
a2 9 and b2 4
then a 3 and b 2

The vertices are (-3,0) and (3,0).

Now, create a dashed box using the four points.

Next, create the two dashed asymptotes drawing
diagonals through the corners of the box.
The two branches of the hyperbola opening left
and right at the vertices can be sketched using the
diagonals as guidelines. The branches get closer
and closer to the asymptotes but never cross it.

To find the foci, use c2 a2 b2.

c2 9 4
c 13 3.6

The foci lie on the x axis. Therefore the coordinates

of the foci are 13,0 and 13,0 .

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Hyperbolas

Your Turn Problem #1

x2
y2

1.
4
16

Find the vertices, the foci, and sketch the hyperbola

y

Answer

vertices: (-2,0), (2,0)

foci: 2 5,0 and 2 5,0

Hyperbolas
Standard Equation: Hyperbola with Transverse Axis on the y Axis
(Opens up and down)
The standard equation of a hyperbola with its center at (0,0) and its transverse
2
y2 y xaxis
axis on the
2 1is
2
b
a
where the vertices are (0,-b) and (0,b), and the foci are at (0,-c) and (0,c),
c2 and
a2 b2 .
The hyperbolas shape will again be determined by two asymptotes. The equation
b
of these asymptotes are still
the
y
lines:
x.
a
It may seem confusing to determine if the branches open left and right or up and
down. Once the hyperbola is in standard form, the vertices from which the branches
open will be on the axis that comes first in the equation, which will have a positive
coefficient.
x is positive:
opens left and right

x2 y2

1
a2 b2

y2 x2
2 1
2
b
a

y is positive:
opens up and down

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Hyperbolas

Example 2.

Find the vertices, the foci, and sketch the hyperbola

y2 x2
Compare to the standard form 2 2 1 to determine a and b.
b a

y2
x2

1.
4
9

Center: (0, 0)
b2 4 and a2 9
then b 2 and a 3

Plot all four of these points (-3,0), (3,0), (0,2) and (0,-2).
The vertices are (0,-2) and (0,2).

Now, create a dashed box using the four

points.
Next, create the two dashed asymptotes by
drawing diagonals through the corners of the box.
The two branches of the hyperbola opening up and
down at the vertices can be sketched using the
diagonals as guidelines.

To find the foci, use c a b .

2

c 9 4
c 13 3.6
2

The foci lie on the y axis. Therefore the coordinates

of the foci are 0, 13 and 0, 13 .

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Slide

Hyperbolas

Your Turn Problem #2

y2
x2
Find the vertices, the foci, and sketch the hyperbola

1.
16
1
y

Answer:
vertices: (0,-4), (0,4)

foci: 0, 17 and 0, 17

Hyperbolas

Find the vertices, the foci, and sketch the hyperbola x2 4y2 4.
2
2
x

4y
4
To obtain the standard form, divide both sides by 4 and
4
4
4
simplify to obtain a 1 on the RHS.
Example 3.

x2
y2

1
4
1

a 2 and b 1

Determine a and b.

Plot all four of these points (0,-1), (0,1), (2,0) and (-2,0).
The vertices are (-2,0) and (2,0).
y

Now, create a dashed box using the four points.

Next, create the two dashed asymptotes by
drawing diagonals through the corners of the box.
The two branches of the hyperbola opening left
and right at the vertices can be sketched using the
diagonals as guidelines.

To find the foci, use c a b .

2

c 41
2

c 5 2.2
The foci lie on the x axis. Therefore the coordinates
of the foci are 0, 5 and 0, 5 .

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Hyperbolas
Your Turn Problem #3

Find the vertices, the foci, and sketch the hyperbola 9y2 25x2 225.

Answer:

vertices: (0,-5), (0,5)

foci: 0, 34 and 0, 34

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Hyperbolas
Hyperbolas whose center is not at the origin.
The standard form for a hyperbola where the center is at (h, k) is:

x h
2

y k
2

or

y k

b2

x h
a2

1
y2 is positive.

x is positive.

This hyperbola opens up and down.

This hyperbola opens left and right.

y

(h,k+c)

(h,k+b)

(h-c,k)

(h-a,k)

(h,k)

(h+a,k)

(h+c,k)

(h,k-b)

Note: To find the foci which lie on the transverse axis:

c2 a2 b2.

(h-a,k)

(h,k)

(h,k+b)

(h+a,k)

(h,k-b)

(h,k-c)

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Hyperbolas

Example 4. Find the center, vertices, foci, and sketch the hyperbola:

y 3

16

x 2

Compare to the standard form to determine the center, a, and b.

The center is (2, 3).

a2 4 and b2 16
then a 2 and b 4

2,3 2 5

Plot all four of these points (0,-3), (4,-3), (2,1) and (2-7).

The vertices are (2,1) and (2,-7).

(2,1)

Now, create the dashed box using the four points and
draw the asymptotes through the corners. Then
sketch the hyperbola.
(0,-3)

To find the foci, use c a b .

2

(2,-3)

c2 4 16

(4,-3)

c 20 2 5 4.5
(2,-7)

The foci lie on the transverse axis. Therefore the coordinates

of the foci are 2, 3 2 5 and 2, 3 2 5
or (2,1.5), (2, 7.5)

Next Slide

2,3 2 5
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Hyperbolas

Your Turn Problem #4

Find the center, vertices, the foci of the hyperbola

x 1

and sketch the hyperbola.

25

y 2

center: (-1,2)
vertices: (-6,2), (4,2)

foci: 1 34,2 , 1 34,2

Answer:
(-1,5)

1,

1 34,2

(-6,2)

34,2

(4,2)

(-1,2)

(-1,-1)

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Hyperbolas
The hyperbola in the previous example was given in standard form.
If the hyperbola is given in general form,

ax2 by2 cx dy e 0

or

ay2 bx2 cx dy e 0,

we will need to convert it to standard form before graphing.

Factoring and completing the square will be necessary to obtain the standard
form:

x h
a2

y k
b2

or

Next Slide

y k
b2

x h
a2

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Hyperbolas
Example 5.Write the given equation of the hyperbola in
standard form:
4x2 9y2 8x 54y 113 0
Group the x terms separately from the y
terms and move the constant to the RHS.
4x2 8x 9y2 54y 113
Factor out the 4 from the first pair
and the -9 from the second pair.
Leave a space at

4 x2 2x 1 9 y2 6y 9 113 4 81

the end of each set of parentheses to add the

appropriate number when completing the
square.
Complete the square for both trinomials.
The numbers added in the parentheses
are need
1 andto
9.add the same value to the
We
RHS. The values are 4 and -81.

4 x 1

9 y 3
36

36

Answer :

x 1
9

36
36

y 3
4

Write each perfect square trinomial as a binomial squared and add the constants on
the
RHS.
Finally,
divide by 36 on both sides and simplify to obtain the hyperbola in standard
form.
Your Turn Problem #5
Write the given equation of the hyperbola in standard form:

5x2 4y2 50x 24y 69 0

Answer:

x 5
4

y 3
5

1
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Hyperbolas

Example 6. Find the center, vertices, foci, and sketch the hyperbola:
2x2 9y2 8x 18y 19 0
1st write in standard form using completing the square.

2x 8x 9y 18y 19
2 x 4x 4 9 y 2y 1 19 +8 - 9
2

2 x 2 9 y 1 18
2

x 2
9

y 1

The center is (2,1).

2, 1 2

11, 1

(-1,1)

(2,1)(5,1)

a 3 and b 2 1.4

The vertices are (-1,1) and (5,1).

2, 1 2
2

To find the foci, use c2 a2 b2.

11, 1

c2 9 2

c 11 3.3

The foci are 2 11, 1 and 2 11, 1

or ( 1.3, 1), (5.3, 1)

Next Slide

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Hyperbolas

Your Turn Problem #6

Find the center, vertices, and foci of the hyperbola

y2 x2 2y 6x 12 0, and sketch the hyperbola.
Answer:

center: (-3,1)
vertices: (-3,3), (-3,-1)

- 3, 1 2 2

(-3,3)
(-5,1) (-3,1)

(-3,-1)

foci : 3, 1 2 2 , 3, 1 2 2

(-1,1)

3, 1 2 2
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