LESSON 1.

4: HYPERBOLAS
Lesson 1.4.1: Definition and
Equation of a Hyperbola
DEFINITION: A hyperbola is a
smooth curve on a plane
consisting of two separate
branches that are images of each
other. It is a set of all coplanar
points such that the difference of
its distances from two fixed
points is constant. The fixed
points are called the foci of the
hyperbola.
PARTS OF AN HYPERBOLA:
(1) A hyperbola has two axes of
symmetry, two vertices, two foci,
and two latus rectum.
(2) The intersection of the two axes
of symmetry is the center of the
hyperbola.
(3) The hyperbola intersects the
focal axis in two points called the
vertices.
(4) These vertices are the endpoints
of a segment called the transverse
axis.
(5) The axis that contains the foci,
the center , and the vertices of the
hyperbola is referred to as the focal
axis or principal axis.
(6) The conjugate axis has no point
in common with the hyperbola. It is
perpendicular to the transverse axis
at the center.
(7) A segment passing through a
focus of the hyperbola that is
perpendicular to the focal axis is
called the latus rectum.
(8) An auxiliary rectangle that is not
part of the hyperbola plays an
important role in graphing the
hyperbola. A pair of opposite sides
of the rectangle passes through the
vertices. These are perpendicular to
the transverse axis. The other pair
passes through the endpoints of the
conjugate axis.
(9) A pair that is closely related to
but also not part of the hyperbola is
the asymptotes of the hyperbola. A
hyperbola approaches its
asymptotes but will never intersect
them. Each of the asymptotes
passes through the opposite
vertices of the auxiliary rectangle.
Activity 1: Consider the points
F1(-5,0) and F2(5,0), as shown in
Figure 1.23. What is the absolute
value of the difference of the
distances A(3.75,-3) from F1 and
from F2? How about the absolute
value of the difference of the
𝟏𝟔
distances from point B (-5, ) from
𝟑
F1 and from F2?
STANDARD EQUATION OF HYPERBOLA:
Focal axis is the x-axis
(1) Center: origin (0,0)
(2) Transverse axis: y = 0 or the x-
axis
• The length is 2a.
• Endpoints - (±a,0)
(3) Conjugate axis: x = 0 or the y-axis
• The length is 2b.
• Endpoints: (0,±b)
(4) Foci: F1(-c,0) & F2(c,0)
• Each focus is c units away from
the center.
 • For any point on the hyperbola,
the absolute value of the
difference of its distances from
the foci is 2a.
(5) Vertices: V1(-a,0) & V2(a,0)
• The vertices are points on the
hyperbola, collinear with the
center and foci.
• If y = 0, then x = ±a. Each vertex is
a units away from the center.
• The segments V1V2 is called the
transverse axis.
(6) Endpoints of the Conjugate Axis:
W1(0,-b) & W2(0,b)
• If x = 0, then y = ±b. Each endpoint
is b units away from the center.
• The segments W1W2 is called the
conjugate axis.
(7) Latus rectum: x = ±c
𝟐𝒃𝟐
• Length is
𝒂
𝒃𝟐 𝒃𝟐
• Endpoints: (-c,± ) & (c,± )
𝒂 𝒂
 𝒂𝟐
(8) Directrix: x=±
𝒄
𝒃
(9) Asymptotes: y = ± x
𝒂
𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐
(9) Equation: − = 𝟏 where
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐
𝒄 = √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 and 𝒄 > 𝒂
SUMMARY C(0,0):
Hyperbola with Hyperbola with
Center (0,0) foci on the x-axis foci on the y-axis
𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐 𝒚𝟐 𝒙𝟐
Equation − 𝟐=𝟏 − 𝟐=𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃 𝒂𝟐 𝒃
Vertices (±a, 0) (0, ±a)
Foci (±c, 0) (0, ±c)
Endpoints of the
Conjugate Axis (0,±b) (±b,0)
Transverse y = 0 or on the x = 0 or on the
axis x-axis y-axis
Conjugate x = 0 or on the y = 0 or on the
axis y-axis x-axis
𝒂𝟐 𝒂𝟐
Directrices x=± y=±
𝒄 𝒄
Latus Rectum x = ±c y = ±c
𝒃𝟐 𝒃𝟐 𝒃𝟐 𝒃𝟐
Endpoints: (-c,± ) & (c,± ) (± ,-c
) & (± ,c)
𝒂 𝒂 𝒂 𝒂
Asymptotes 𝒃 𝒂
y=± 𝒙 y=± 𝒙
𝒂 𝒃
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 1.4.1:
Determine the foci, vertices,
and asymptotes of the
𝒙𝟐
hyperbola with equation: −
𝟗
𝒚𝟐
= 𝟏. Sketch the graph, and
𝟕
include these points and lines,
the transverse and conjugate
axes, and the auxiliary
rectangle.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 1.4.2:

Find the standard equation of
the hyperbola whose foci are
F1(-5,0) and F2(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 1.23.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 1.4.3:
Find the coordinates of the foci
and vertices, the endpoints of
the conjugate axis, and latus
rectum of the hyperbola
2 2
9x – 16y – 144 = 0.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 1.4.4:

Write the equation of the
hyperbola in standard form
with center at the origin given
the length of the latus rectum
𝟖
is and the vertices have
𝟓
coordinates (0,-5) and (0,5).
 PROBLEM SET NO. 11:
(1) Determine the foci, vertices,
and asymptotes of the hyperbola
𝒚𝟐 𝒙𝟐
with equation: − = 𝟏.
𝟒 𝟏𝟐
Sketch the graph, and include
these points and lines, the
transverse and conjugate axes,
and the auxiliary rectangle.

(2) Find the standard equation of

the hyperbola whose foci are
F1(−𝟒√𝟐,0) and F2(𝟒√𝟐,0), such
that for any point on it, the
absolute value of the difference
of its distances from the foci is 8.
 Lesson 1.4.2: More
Properties of Hyperbolas
Horizontal C(0,0)

𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐
− =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐

Vertical C(0,0)
𝒚𝟐 𝒙𝟐
− =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐
 Horizontal
C(h,k)

(𝒙−𝒉)𝟐 (𝒚−𝒌)𝟐
− =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐
Vertical
C(h,k)
(𝒚−𝒌)𝟐 (𝒙−𝒉)𝟐
+ =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐
 KEYNOTES:
(1) 𝒄 = √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 and 𝒄 > 𝒂
(2) In the standard equation, if x-
part is positive, the hyperbola is
horizontal.
(3) If the y-part is positive, the
hyperbola is vertical.

SUMMARY C(h,k):
Hyperbola with Hyperbola with
Center (h,k) horizontal focal axis vertical focal axis
Type Horizontal Vertical
(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 (𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐
Equation − =𝟏 − =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐 𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐
Vertices ( h±a, k ) ( h, k±a )
Foci ( h±c, k ) ( h, k±c )
Endpoints of
the
Conjugate ( h, k±b ) ( h±b, k )
Axis
Transverse
axis y=k x=h
Conjugate
axis x=h y=k
Endpoints of (-c + h,± 𝒃𝟐 + 𝒌 ) 𝒃𝟐
the Latus 𝒂 (± + 𝒌,-c + h )
𝒂
Rectum
 𝒃𝟐 𝒃𝟐
(c + h,± +𝒌) (± + 𝒌,c + h)
𝒂 𝒂

DISTANCES:
transverse axis 2a
conjugate axis 2b
C c = √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐
𝟐𝒃𝟐
latus rectum LR =
𝒂
√𝒂𝟐 +𝒃𝟐
Eccentricity e=
𝒂

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 1.4.5:

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, and
auxiliary rectangle.

(𝒚+𝟐)𝟐 (𝒙−𝟕)𝟐
(1) − =𝟏
𝟐𝟓 𝟗
(2) 𝟒𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓𝒚𝟐 + 𝟑𝟐𝒙 + 𝟑𝟎𝒚 = 𝟏
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 1.4.6:
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 distances from
the foci is 10. Find the standard
equation of the hyperbola.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 1.4.7:

A hyperbola has vertices (-4,-5)
and (-4,9) ad one of its foci is (-4,2-
√𝟔𝟏). Find its standard equation.

PROBLEM SET NO. 12:

Give the coordinates of the center,
foci, vertices, and asymptotes of
the hyperbola with the equation
𝟗𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒𝒚𝟐 − 𝟗𝟎𝒙 − 𝟑𝟐𝒚 = −𝟑𝟎𝟓.
Sketch the graph, and include
these points and lines, and
auxiliary rectangle.
 Lesson 1.4.3:
Situational Problems
Involving Hyperbolas
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 1.4.8:
An explosion is heard by two
stations 1200 meters apart,
located at F1(-600, 0) and
F2(600,0). If the explosion was
heard in F1 two seconds
before it was heard in F2,
identify the possible locations
of the explosion. Use 340m/s
as the speed of sound.

PROBLEM SET NO. 13:

Two stations, located at
M(-1.5, 0) and N(1.5, 0) (units
are in km), simultaneously
send sound signals to a ship,
with the signal traveling at
the speed of 0.33 km/s. If the
signal from N was received by
the ship four seconds before
the signal it received from M,
find the equation of the curve
containing the possible
location of the ship.