Hyperbola

Definition:
Hyperbola is the set of all points (x,y) in a plane, the difference of whose distances from
two distinct fixed points, the foci, is a positive constant.

Hyperbola VS Ellipse
The definition of a hyperbola is similar to that of an ellipse. The difference is that for an
ellipse, the sum of the distances between the foci and a point on the ellipse is constant;
whereas for a hyperbola, the difference of the distances between the foci and a point on
the hyperbola is constant.

Vocabulary:
branch - two disconnected parts
vertex - the line through the two foci
intersects the hyperbola at two points

transverse axis - the line segment connecting the vertices

center - the midpoint of the transverse axis
foci (focus) - a point inside the hyperbola
vertices - the points that on the edge of hyperbola (vertex)
a refers to distance between center and vertex
c refers to distance between center and point in hyperbola
if X is infront = horizontal hyperbola
if Y is infront = vertical hyperbola

General Form:
Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0
Ax2 Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0
AC < 0 either A or C must be negative
WHY..? Milk will explain about either must be negative..!
For example:
4x^2 - y^2 + 8x - 6y + 4 =0
for this equation
AC = 4(-1) < 0
So, the graph is a hyperbola because C is the negative
Degenerate Form:
Cutting through the origin of the two connected cone formed two intersecting lines which
is the degenerate form.
Interesting properties of Hyperbola
Hyperbola is the only conic that has asymptotes. The two asymptotes are intersect at
the center of the hyperbola. The asymptotes pass through the corners of a rectangle of

dimension 2a by 2b with its center at (h,k).

Some Tips:

use the midpoint formula b = square root

use the pythagorean theorem to find c
identify whether is it a horizontal or vertical transverse
know how to find center, vertices, and foci.
parameter - asymptote

given: foci and vertices

find: center point, c and a
use center point, c and a to find midpoint or b
substitute everything in to the hyperbola equation
the answer must be equal to 1
Real Life Application
Loran is referred to as a hyperbolic system. In order for the Loran system to
work effectively, the Loran receiver must be connecting with at least three transmitting
stations. This set of three stations is called a chain. One of these stations is
designated as the master station and the other two are secondary stations. Each
station sends out repeated signals, traveling at the speed of light, pulsing at specific
time intervals. The chain of stations has unique time delays to distinguish chains from
one another. These signals reach the Loran receiver, located on the ship. By analyzing
these time delays, we are able to calculate the difference in distance from the ship to
the master station and from the ship to one of the secondary stations.
The hyperbola has a very important distance property that helps locate the ship. The
hyperbola is the set of all points where the difference in distance to each of the foci of
the hyperbola is constant. This special property is the foundation for Loran.
We can imagine that the world is flat and that the coverage area of a chain can be
shown on a Cartesian plane. The master station and two secondary stations are plotted
on the grid. To find the location of the Loran receiver, presumably on a ship, we need to
find the difference in distance from each master/secondary pair to the ship. The ship
will be somewhere in the coverage area of a chain (illustrated on the grid). Using the
time delays as they reach the receiver on the ship, we are able to calculate the
difference in the distance from the ship to each master/secondary pair, as well as which
station the ship is closer to, the master or the secondary. These distances can be
converted to longitude and latitude coordinates and the master/secondary pair becomes
the foci of a hyperbola. These particular foci generate several different hyperbolas.
Because of the special distance property, we can find which hyperbola has a difference
of distance that coincides with the constant our receiver calculated. Somewhere on this
hyperbola will be the ship.
This same process is repeated for the other secondary station and the master station.
Where the two corresponding hyperbolas meet is the location of the ship. Because we

are able to find which stations the ship is closest to, there is only one possible location
for the ship.