LESSON: CONICS

LESSON DESCRIPTION:

A hyperbola is a conic section formed by a plane that cuts both napped of a right circular
cone. A hyperbola has two symmetric parts called branches, which open in opposite
directions. Although the branches appear to resemble parabolas they are actually a
different curve.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES with MELCs:

Learning Objectives:

The learners will be able to…

1. Use the equation of a hyperbola to graph central and noncentral hyperbolas.

2. Distinguish between the equations of a circle, ellipse, and hyperbola.

3. Locate the foci of hyperbola and use the foci and other features to write its equation.

4. Solve applications involving foci.

LASALLIAN GUIDED PRINCIPLE (LGP)

1. Challenge learners to realize their full potentials.

Eccentricity of a Conic

KNOWLEDGE ACTIVATION

TOWARDS BETTER UNDERSTANDIN

Observe that in an ellipse, a is greater than c, which implies that the

eccentricity is less than 1 (example greater than 0 but less than 1) Those
 LESSON: CONICS

value becomes closer to 1 as the ellipse becomes elongated until it breaks

and becomes two parabolas. If the value of a is less than c, then e > 1..
knowing the eccentricity of a conic helps in identifying the different types of
conics. Refer to the theorem below.

TOWARDS BETTER UNDERSTANDING

Example. Graphing a Central Hyperbola

 LESSON: CONICS

Graph the equation 9x2 – 16y2 = 144 using the intercepts and additional points as needed.

Solution: 9x2 – 16y2 = 144 Given

9 (0)2 – 16y2 = 144 Substitute 0 for x

– 16y2 = 144 Simplify

y2 = -9 Divide by -16

Since y2 can never be negative, we conclude that the graph has no y-intercepts.
Substituting y = 0 to find the x-intercepts gives

9x2 – 16y2 = 144 Given

9x2 – 16 (0) 2 = 144 Substitute 0 for y

9x2 = 144 Simplify

x2 = 16 Divide by 9

x = √ 16 and x = - √ 16 Square root property

x=4 and x=-4 Simplify

(4 , 0) and (-4 , 0) x intercepts

Knowing the graph has no y-intercepts, we select inputs greater than 4 and less than -4 to
help sketch the graph. Using x = 5 and x = -5 yields

9x2 - 16y2 = 144 Given 9x2 - 16y2 = 144

9 (5)2 - 16y2 = 144 Substitute for x 9(-5)2 - 16y2 = 144

9(25) - 16y2 = 144 52 = (-5)2 = 25 9 (25) - 16y2 = 144

225 – 16y2 = 144 Simplify 225 – 16y2 = 144

-16y2 = - 81 Subtract 225 -16y2 = - 81

 LESSON: CONICS

81 81
y2 = 16 Divide by -16 y2 = 16

9 9 9 9
y= 4 y=- 4 Square root property y= 4 y=- 4

y = 2.25 y = -2.25 Decimal form y = 2.25 y = -2.25

(5 , 2.25) (5, -2.25) Ordered pairs (-5 , 2.25) (-5, -2.25)

Plotting these points and connecting them with a smooth curve, while knowing there are
no y-intercepts, produces the graph in the figure. The point at the origin is not part of the graph,
and is only given only to indicate the “center” of the hyperbola.

Since the hyperbola

crosses a horizontal line of symmetry, it is referred to as a horizontal hyperbola. The points (-
4,0) and (4,0) are called vertices and the center of the hyperbola is always the point halfway
between them. If the center is at the origin, we have a central hyperbola. The line passing
through the center and both vertices is called the transverse axis (vertices are always on the
transverse axis), and the line passing through the center and perpendicular to the axis is called
the conjugate axis. (see Figure below)
 LESSON: CONICS

2
In Example 1, the coefficient of x

was positive and we were subtracting 16y2 : 9x2 – 16y2 = 144. The result was a horizontal
hyperbola. If the y2- term is positive and we subtract the term containing x2 , the result is a
vertical hyperbola.

Example: Identifying the Axes, Vertices and Center of a Hyperbola from its Graph

For the hyperbola shown, state the location of the vertices and the equation of the
transverse axis. Then identify the location of the center and the equation of the conjugate axis.

Solution:
By inspection we locate the vertices at (0,0) and (0,4). The equation of the
transverse axis is x = 0. The center is halfway between the vertices at (0,2), meaning the
equation of the conjugate is y = 2
 LESSON: CONICS

Let us consider the hyperbola 9x2 – 16y2 = 144 from Example 1. To write the equation in
x2 x2
standard form we divide by 144 and obtain 2 - 2 = 1. By comparing the standard form to the
4 4
graph, we note a = 4 represents the distance from center to vertices, similar to the way we used
a previously. But since the graph has no y-intercepts, we could b = 3 represent? The answer lies
in the fact that branches of a hyperbola are asymptotic, meaning they will approach and
become very close to imaginary lines that can be used to sketch the graph.

b
For a central hyperbola, the slopes of the asymptotic lines are given by the ratios a and -
b b b
a
, with the related equations being y = a x and y = - a x . The graph from Example 1 is repeated
in Figure below with the asymptotes drawn.
LESSON: CONICS
 LESSON: CONICS

Example: Graphing a Hyperbola Using Its Equation in Standard Form

Sketch the graph of 16(x – 2)2 – 9(y – 1)2 = 144. Label the center, vertices, and
asymptotes.

Solution: Begin by noting a difference of the second-degree terms, with the x2 term occurring
first. This means we’ll be graphing a horizontal hyperbola whose center is at (2,1). Continue by
writing the equation in standard fomr.

16(x – 2)2 – 9(y -1)2 = 144 Given equation

144
16 ¿ ¿ - 9¿¿ = 144 Divide by 144

¿¿ - ¿ ¿ = 1 Simplify
 LESSON: CONICS

¿¿ - ¿ ¿ = 1 Write the denominator in

squared form.

Since a = 3 the vertices are a horizontal distance of 3 units from the center (2, 1), giving ( 2+3 ,
1)  ( 5,1) and ( 2-3 , 1)  (-1 ,1). After plotting the center and vertices, we can begin at the
b 4
center and count off slopes of m =  a =  3 , or
Draw a rectangle centered at (2,1) with dimensions 2(3) = 6 (horizontal dimension) by 2(4) = 8
( vertical dimension) to sketch the asymptotes. The complete graph is shown below.

Horizontal Hyperbola

Center at (2,1)
Vertices at (-1,1) and (5,1)
Transverse axis y = 1
Conjugate axis x = 2

Width of rectangle
Horizontal dimension and
Distance between vertices
 LESSON: CONICS

2a = 2(3) = 6

Length of rectangle
(vertical dimension)
2b = 2(4) = 8

Example: Graphing a Hyperbola by Completing the Square

Graph the equation 9y2 – x2 + 54y + 4x + 68 = 0.

Solution : Since the y2 term occurs first, we assume the equation represents a vertical hyperbola,
but wait for the factored form to be sure.

9y2 – x2 + 54y + 4x + 68 = 0 Given

9y2 + 54y – x2 + 4x = -68 Collect like variable term ; subtract 68

9(y2 + 6y + ___ ) – 1(x2 – 4x + ___ ) = -68 Factor out 9 from y-terms and
-1 from x-terms

9(y2 + 6y + 9 ) – 1(x2 – 4x + 4) = -68 + 81 (-4) Complete the square

9(y + 3)2 – 1(x – 2)2 = 9 Factor  vertical hyperbola

( y +3)2 (x−2)2
12
- 32
=1 Write denominators in squared form

The center of the hyperbola is (2, -3) with a = 3, b = 1 and a transvers axis of x = 2. The vertices
are at (2 , -3 +1) and (2 , -3 -1)  (2, -2) and (2, -4). After plotting the center and vertices
“length” of 2(1) = 2 to sketch the asymptotes. The completed graph is given in the figure.
 LESSON: CONICS

Vertical hyperbola

Center at (2, -3)

Vertices at (2 ,-2) and (2, -4)

Transverse axis: x = 2
Conjugate axis: y = -3

Width of rectangle
(horizontal dimension)
2a = 2(3) = 6

Length of rectangle
Vertical dimension and
Distance between vertices
2b = 2(1) = 2
 LESSON: CONICS

Example: Identifying a Conic Section from its Equation

Identify each equation as hat of a circle, ellipse, or hyperbola. Justify your choice and
name the center, but do not draw graphs.

a. y2 = 36 + 9x2
b. 4x2 = 16 – 4y2
c. x2 = 225 – 25y2
d. 25x2 = 100 + 4y2
e. 3(x – 2)2 + 4(y + 3)2 = 12
f. 4(x + 5)2 = 36 + 9(y – 4)2

Solution:

a. Writing the equation in factored form gives y2 – 9x2 = 36( h =0 , k = 0).

Since the equation contains a difference of second degree terms, it is the equation if a
(vertical) hyperbola. The center is at (0, 0).
b. Rewriting the equation as 4x2 + 4y2 = 16 and dividing by 4 gives x2 + y2 = 4. The
equation represents a circle of radius 2, with center at (0 ,0).
c. Writing equation as x2 + 25y2 = 225 we note a sum of second degree terms with
unequal coefficients. The equation is that of an ellipse, with center at (0,0).
d. Rewriting the equation as 25x2 – 4y2 = 100 we note the equation contains a difference
of second-degree terms. The equation represents a central (horizontal) hyperbola,
whose center is at (0,0).
e. The equation is in factored form and contains a sum of second-degree terms with
unequal coefficients. This is the equation of an ellipse with center at (2,-3).
f. Rewriting the equation as 4(x + 5)2 – 9( y -4)2 = 36 we note a difference of second-
degree terms. The equation represents a horizontal hyperbola with center (-5, 4).
LESSON: CONICS
 LESSON: CONICS

Example: Graphing a Hyperbola and Identifying its Foci by Completing the Square.

For the hyperbolas defined by 7x2 – 9y2 – 14x + 72y – 200 = 0, find the coordinates of the
center, vertices, foci and the dimensions of the central rectangle. Then sketch the graph.

Solution: 7x2 - 9y2 – 14x + 72y – 200 = 0 Given

7x2 – 14x - 9y2 + 72y – 200 = 0 Group terms; add 200

 LESSON: CONICS

7(x2 – 2x + ___ ) – 9(y2 – 8y + ___ ) = 200 Factor out leading coefficients

7(x2 – 2x + 1) – 9(y2 – 8y + 16) = 200 + 7 + (-144) Complete the square

7(x – 1)2 – 9(y – 4)2 = 63 Factored form

2 2
(x−1)
9
- ( y−4)
7
=1 Divide by 63 and simplify

(x−1)2 2
- ( y−4) =1 Write the denominator in squared
32 ¿¿¿
form

This is a horizontal hyperbola with a = 3 (a2 = 9) and b = √ 7 ( b2 = 7). The center is at

(1,4), with vertices (-2, 4) and (4, 4). Using the foci formula c2 = a2 + b2 yields c2 = 9 + 7 = 16,
showing the foci are (-3, 4) and (5 , 4) ( 4 units from the center). The central rectangle is 2√ 7 =
5.39 by 2(3) = 6.

Drawing the rectangle and sketching the asymptote to complete the graph, results in the
graph shown.

Horizontal Hyperbola

Center at ( 1, 4)
Vertices at (-2, 4) and (4, 4)

Transverse axis: y = 4
Conjugate axis: x = 1
Location of foci: (-3, 4) and (5,4)

Width of rectangle
Horizontal dimension and distance between
vertices
2a = 2(3) = 6

Length of rectangle
Vertical dimension
2b = 2√ 7  5. 29
 LESSON: CONICS

Example 7: Applying the Properties of a Hyperbola – The Path of a Comet

Comets with a high velocity cannot be captured by the Sun’s gravity, and are slung
around the Sun in a hyperbolic path with the Sun at one focus. If the path illustrated by the
graph shown is modeled by the equation 2116x2 – 400y2 = 846, 400, how close did the comet
get to the Sun? Assume units are in millions of miles and round to the nearest million.

Solution: We are essentially asked to find the distance between a vertex and focus. Begin by
writing the equation in standard form:

2116x2 – 400y2 = 846, 400 Given

x2 y2
400
- 2116
=1 Divide by 846, 400

x2 y2
202
- 462
=1 Write the denominator in squared
form

This is a horizontal hyperbola with a = 20 (a2 = 400) and b = 46 (b2 = 2116).

Use the foci formula to find c2 and c.

c2 = a2 + b2
c2 = 400 + 2116

c2 = 2516

c  50 and c  - 50
 LESSON: CONICS

Since a = 20 and a   50, the comet came within 50 -20 = 30 million miles of the Sun.

MIND STRAINERS

A. Graph each hyperbola. Label the center, vertices, and add any additional points
used.
2
y2
1. x9 - 4 =1

x2 y2
2. 4 - 9 =1

x2 y2
3. 49 - 16 =1

x2 y2
4. 36 - 16 =1
2
y2
5. x9 - 1 =1

B. Sketch a complete graph of each equation, including the asymptotes. Be sure to

identify the center and vertices.

( y +1)2 x2
1. 4 - 25 =1

(x−3)2 ( y +2)2
2. 36 - 49 =1

( y +1)2 (x +5)2
3. 7 - 9 =1
 LESSON: CONICS

4. x 2( y+ 3)2 - 5( x−1) = 50
2

5. 16x2 – 9y2 = 144

6. 9y2 – 4x2 = 36

7. 12x2 – 9y2 = 72

8. 4x2 – y2 + 40x – 4y + 60 = 0

C. Classify each equation as that of a circle, ellipse or hyperbola. Justify your answer.

1. – 4x2 – 4y2 = -24

2. x2 + y2 = 2x + 4y + 4
3. 2x2 – 4y2 = 8
4. x2 + 5 = 2y2
5. 2x2 = -2y2 + x + 20