Lesson 1.

4 Hyperbolas

Outcomes of the lesson:

At the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Define a hyperbola
2. Determine the standard form and general for equation of a hyperbola
3. Graph a hyperbola in a rectangular coordinate system
4. Solve situational problems involving hyperbolas

1.4.1 Definition, Components, and equation of a Hyperbola

Let 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 be two distinct points. The set of all points 𝑃, whose distances from 𝐹1 and from 𝐹2 differ by a
certain constant, is called a hyperbola. The points 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 are called the foci of the hyperbola.
The principal axis is the line that passes through the foci is called the Principal Axis. The points where the

hyperbola intersects the Principal Axis are called the Vertices (𝑽𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑽𝟐 ). The points that is halfway between

the vertices is called the Center (𝑪). The segment joining the vertices is called the Transverse Axis (𝑽𝟏 𝑽𝟐 ). The

distance from the Center (𝑪) to any of the vertex is 𝒂. Thus the length of the transverse axis is 𝑽𝟏 𝑽𝟐 = 𝟐𝒂. This

length is the constant difference referred to in the definition a hyperbola. The segment joining the points

𝑬𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝟐 is called the conjugate axis. The distance from the Center (𝑪) to any of the endpoints of the conjugate

axis 𝑬𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝟐 is 𝒃. Hence, the length of the conjugate axis is 𝑬𝟏 𝑬𝟐 = 𝟐𝒃. The foci 𝑭𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝟐 are always located

on the principal axis. The distance from the Center (𝑪) to any of the foci 𝑭𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝟐 is 𝒄 or 𝑭𝟏 𝑭𝟐 = 𝟐𝒄. The two

diagonal dashed lines are the asymptotes of the hyperbola. These are lines where the branches of the graph of

the hyperbola approaches. It is used as a guide in graphing each branch of the hyperbola. The dashed rectangle is

called the Auxiliary Rectangle. It is also used as a guide in graphing. The dimension of this rectangle is 𝟐𝒂 𝒙 𝟐𝒃.

A hyperbola can have vertical or horizontal principal axis and the center can be at the origin or at any point in the

coordinate system.

Note: The branches in hyperbola are not parabolas.

 Horizontal Principal Axis Vertical Principal Axis

Center: 𝑪(𝟎, 𝟎) Center: 𝑪(𝟎, 𝟎)

Vertices: 𝑽𝟏 (−𝒂, 𝟎) and 𝑽𝟐 (𝒂, 𝟎) Vertices: 𝑽𝟏 (𝟎, −𝒂) and 𝑽𝟐 (𝟎, 𝒂)
Covertices: 𝑬𝟏 (𝟎, −𝒃) and 𝑬𝟐 (𝟎, 𝒃) Covertices: 𝑬𝟏 (−𝒃, 𝟎) and 𝑬𝟐 (𝒃, 𝟎)
Foci: 𝑭𝟏 (−𝒄, 𝟎) and 𝑭𝟐 (𝒄, 𝟎) Foci: 𝑭𝟏 (𝟎, −𝒄) and 𝑭𝟐 (𝟎, 𝒄)
𝒃 𝒃 𝒂 𝒂
Asymptotes: 𝒚 = − 𝒙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝒚 = 𝒙 Asymptotes: 𝒚 = − 𝒙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝒚 = 𝒙
𝒂 𝒂 𝒃 𝒃
where 𝒄 = √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 where 𝒄 = √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐
Standard Form Equation: Standard Form Equation:
𝒙𝟐 𝒚 𝟐 𝒚𝟐 𝒙𝟐
− =𝟏 − =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐 𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐
General Form Equation: General Form Equation:
𝑨𝒙𝟐 + 𝑪𝒚𝟐 + 𝑫𝒙 + 𝑬𝒚 + 𝑭 = 𝟎 𝑨𝒙𝟐 + 𝑪𝒚𝟐 + 𝑫𝒙 + 𝑬𝒚 + 𝑭 = 𝟎
where, 𝐴, 𝐶 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑠 where, 𝐴, 𝐶 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑠

Center: 𝑪(𝒉, 𝒌) Center: 𝑪(𝒉, 𝒌)

Vertices: 𝑽𝟏 (𝒉 − 𝒂, 𝒌) and 𝑽𝟐 (𝒉 + 𝒂, 𝒌) Vertices: 𝑽𝟏 (𝒉, 𝒌 − 𝒂) and 𝑽𝟐 (𝒉, 𝒌 + 𝒂)
Covertices: 𝑬𝟏 (𝒉, 𝒌 − 𝒃) and 𝑬𝟐 (𝒉, 𝒌 + 𝒃) Covertices: 𝑬𝟏 (𝒉 − 𝒃, 𝒌) and 𝑬𝟐 (𝒉 + 𝒃, 𝒌)
Foci: 𝑭𝟏 (𝒉 − 𝒄, 𝒌) and 𝑭𝟐 (𝒉 + 𝒄, 𝒌) Foci: 𝑭𝟏 (𝒉, 𝒌 − 𝒄) and 𝑭𝟐 (𝒉, 𝒌 + 𝒄)
𝒃 𝒃 𝒂 𝒂
Asymptotes: 𝒚 − 𝒌 = − (𝒙 − 𝒉) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝒚 − 𝒌 = (𝒙 − 𝒉) Asymptotes: 𝒚 − 𝒌 = − (𝒙 − 𝒉) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝒚 − 𝒌 = (𝒙 − 𝒉)
𝒂 𝒂 𝒃 𝒃
where 𝒄 = √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 where 𝒄 = √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐

Standard Form Equation: Standard Form Equation:

(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 (𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐
− =𝟏 − =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐 𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐
General Form Equation: General Form Equation:
𝑨𝒙𝟐 + 𝑪𝒚𝟐 + 𝑫𝒙 + 𝑬𝒚 + 𝑭 = 𝟎 𝑨𝒙𝟐 + 𝑪𝒚𝟐 + 𝑫𝒙 + 𝑬𝒚 + 𝑭 = 𝟎
where, 𝐴, 𝐶 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑠 where, 𝐴, 𝐶 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑠
1.4.2 Finding the center, the vertices, the endpoints of the conjugate axis, the foci, and the asymptotes of a Hyperbola
when the equation is given.

Example: For the hyperbola having the given equation, find the center, the vertices, the endpoints of the

conjugate axis, the foci, and the asymptotes. Sketch the graph.

𝑥2 𝑦2
1. 9
− 16 = 1

2. 9𝑥 2 − 4𝑦 2 − 18𝑥 − 16𝑦 + 29 = 0

Solution:
𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐
1. 𝟗
− 𝟏𝟔 = 𝟏

𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐
The given equation is of the form 𝒂𝟐 − 𝒃𝟐 = 𝟏, thus the center is at the origin and the principal axis is

horizontal.

Solve for 𝒂: Solve for 𝒃:

𝒂𝟐 = 𝟗 ⟹ 𝑎 = √9 ⟹ 𝒂 = 𝟑 𝒃𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔 ⟹ 𝑏 = √16 ⟹ 𝒃 = 𝟒

Solve for 𝒄:

𝒄 = √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 ⟹ 𝑐 = √9 + 16 ⟹ 𝑐 = √25 ⟹ 𝒄 = 𝟓

Center: 𝑪(𝟎, 𝟎)

Vertices: 𝑽𝟏 (−𝒂, 𝟎) ⟹ 𝑽𝟏 (−𝟑, 𝟎)

and 𝑽𝟐 (𝒂, 𝟎) ⟹ 𝑽𝟐 (𝟑, 𝟎)

Covertices: 𝑬𝟏 (𝟎, −𝒃) ⟹ 𝑬𝟏 (𝟎, −𝟒)

and 𝑬𝟐 (𝟎, 𝒃) ⟹ 𝑬𝟐 (𝟎, 𝟒)

Foci: 𝑭𝟏 (−𝒄, 𝟎) ⟹ 𝑭𝟏 (−𝟓, 𝟎)

and 𝑭𝟐 (𝒄, 𝟎) ⟹ 𝑭𝟐 (𝟓, 𝟎)

𝒃 𝟒
Asymptotes: 𝒚 = − 𝒙 ⟹ 𝒚 = − 𝒙
𝒂 𝟑

𝒃 𝟒
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝒚 = 𝒙 ⟹ 𝒚 = 𝒙
𝒂 𝟑
2. 𝟗𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒𝒚𝟐 − 𝟏𝟖𝒙 − 𝟏𝟔𝒚 + 𝟐𝟗 = 𝟎
Transform into standard form:
(9𝑥 2 − 18𝑥) − (4𝑦 2 + 16𝑦) = −29
9(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥) − 4(𝑦 2 + 4𝑦) = −29
−2 2 4 2 −2 2 4 2
9 (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + ( ) ) − 4 (𝑦 2 + 4𝑦+ ( ) ) = −29 + 9 ( ) +(−4) ( )
2 2 2 2
9(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + (−1)2 ) − 4(𝑦 2 + 4𝑦+(2)2 ) = −29 + 9(−1)2 +(−4)(2)2
9(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1) − 4(𝑦 2 + 4𝑦 + 4) = −29 + 9(1) + (−4)(4)
9(𝑥 − 1)2 − 4(𝑦 + 2)2 = −29 + 9 − 16
9(𝑥 − 1)2 − 4(𝑦 + 2)2 = −36
9(𝑥 − 1)2 4(𝑦 + 2)2 −36
− =
−36 −36 −36
(𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑦 + 2)2
− + =1
4 9
(𝑦 + 2)2 (𝑥 − 1)2
− =1
9 4

(𝒚−𝒌)𝟐 (𝒙−𝒉)𝟐
This equation is of the form 𝒂𝟐
− 𝒃𝟐
= 𝟏, thus the principal axis is vertical with center at 𝐶(ℎ, 𝑘) =
𝑪(𝟏, −𝟐).

Solve for 𝒂: Solve for 𝒃:

𝟐
𝒂 = 𝟗 ⟹ 𝑎 = √9 ⟹ 𝒂 = 𝟑 𝒃𝟐 = 𝟒 ⟹ 𝑏 = √4 ⟹ 𝒃 = 𝟐

Solve for 𝒄:
𝒄 = √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 ⟹ 𝑐 = √9 + 4 ⟹ 𝒄 = √𝟏𝟑
Center: 𝑪(𝒉, 𝒌) ⟹ 𝑪(𝟏, −𝟐)
Vertices: 𝑽𝟏 (𝒉, 𝒌 − 𝒂) ⟹ 𝑉1 (1, −2 − 3) ⟹ 𝑉1 (𝟏, −𝟓)
and 𝑽𝟐 (𝒉, 𝒌 + 𝒂) ⟹ 𝑉2 (1, −2 + 3) ⟹ 𝑉2 (𝟏, 𝟏)
Covertices: 𝑬𝟏 (𝒉 − 𝒃, 𝒌) ⟹ 𝑬𝟏 (𝟏 − 𝟐, −𝟐) ⟹ 𝑬𝟏 (−𝟏, −𝟐)
and 𝑬𝟐 (𝒉 + 𝒃, 𝒌) ⟹ 𝑬𝟐 (𝟏 + 𝟐, −𝟐) ⟹ 𝑬𝟐 (𝟑, −𝟐)
Foci: 𝑭𝟏 (𝒉, 𝒌 − 𝒄) ⟹ 𝑭𝟏 (𝟏, −𝟐 − √𝟏𝟑)

and 𝑭𝟐 (𝒉, 𝒌 + 𝒄) ⟹ 𝑭𝟐 (𝟏, −𝟐 + √𝟏𝟑)

𝒂
Asymptotes: 𝒚 − 𝒌 = − (𝒙 − 𝒉)
𝒃
3
𝑦 − (−2) = − (𝑥 − 1)
2
𝟑
𝒚 + 𝟐 = − (𝒙 − 𝟏)
𝟐
𝒂
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝒚 − 𝒌 = (𝒙 − 𝒉)
𝒃
3
𝑦 − (−2) = (𝑥 − 1)
2
𝟑
𝒚 + 𝟐 = (𝒙 − 𝟏)
𝟐
1.4.3 Finding the Standard form Equation of a Hyperbola that satisfies a given condition

Example: Find the standard form equation of the hyperbola satisfying the given conditions.
1. 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.
2. 𝐹1 (−5, −3) and 𝐹2 (9, −3), such that for any point on it, the absolute value of the difference of its distances
from the foci is 10.
3. 𝑉1 (−5, −3) and 𝑉2 (−5, −1), 𝐸1 (−7, −2) and 𝐸2 (−3, −2).

Solution:
1. 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.

Find 𝒄:
Since, in 𝐹1 (−5,0) and 𝐹2 (5,0), have the element is the 𝑦 − 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠, then the hyperbola has
horizontal principal axis. Thus 𝒄 = 𝟓.

Find 𝒂:
The absolute value of the difference of its distances from the foci is 6.
2𝑎 6
Hence, 𝟐𝒂 = 𝟔. Thus, 𝟐𝒂 = 𝟔 ⟹ = ⟹ 𝒂 = 𝟑.
2 2

Find 𝒃:
𝒄𝟐 = 𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 ⟹ 𝒃𝟐 = 𝒄𝟐 − 𝒂𝟐 ⟹ 𝒃𝟐 = 𝒄𝟐 − 𝒂𝟐

𝒃 = √𝒄𝟐 − 𝒂𝟐

𝑏 = √52 − 32 ⟹ 𝑏 = √25 − 9 ⟹ 𝑏 = √16 ⟹ 𝒃 = 𝟒

Find the standard equation:

Since the hyperbola has horizontal principal axis,
𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐
then, 𝒂𝟐
− 𝟐 = 𝟏. Substituting,
𝒃

𝑥 2 𝑦2
− =1
𝑎2 𝑏 2
𝑥 2 𝑦2
− =1
32 42
𝒙𝟐 𝒚 𝟐
− =𝟏
𝟗 𝟏𝟔
2. 𝑭𝟏 (−𝟓, −𝟑) and 𝑭𝟐 (𝟗, −𝟑), such that for any point on it, the absolute value of the difference of its
distances from the foci is 𝟏𝟎.

The foci are horizontally aligned (the same 𝑦 − 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡). Thus, the hyperbola has horizontal principal
axis.

Find the center 𝑪(𝒉, 𝒌):

The midpoint of the foci is the center of the hyperbola.
Thus,
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 −5 + 9 −3 + (−3) 4 −6)
𝑪(𝒉, 𝒌) = 𝐶 ( , ) = 𝐶( , ) = 𝐶( , ) = 𝑪(𝟐, −𝟑)
2 2 2 2 2 2

Find 𝒄:
𝑐 is the distance from the center to the focus.
Since the center and the focus have same 𝑦 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒.
Then, the distance is determined by the absolute value of the difference between the 𝑥 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠.
Now, (𝒙𝟏 , 𝒚𝟏 ) = (𝟐, −𝟑); (𝒙𝟐 , 𝒚𝟐 ) = (9, −3). So, 𝑐 = |𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟏 | = |9 − 2| = 𝟕.

Find 𝒂:
The given difference is 10 and this is the length of transverse axis (2𝑎).
2𝑎 10
Therefore, 2𝑎 = 10 ⟹ = ⟹ 𝒂 = 𝟓.
2 2

Find 𝒄:

𝒃 = √𝒄𝟐 − 𝒂𝟐

𝑏 = √72 − 52 ⟹ 𝑏 = √49 − 25 ⟹ 𝒃 = √𝟐𝟒

Find the standard equation:

Since the hyperbola has horizontal principal axis,
(𝒙−𝒉)𝟐 (𝒚−𝒌)𝟐
then, 𝒂𝟐
− 𝟐 = 𝟏.
𝒃

Substituting,
(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐
− =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐
(𝑥 − 2)2 (𝑦 − (−3))2
− 2 =1
52 (√24)

(𝒙 − 𝟐)𝟐 (𝒚 + 𝟑)𝟐
− =𝟏
𝟐𝟓 𝟐𝟒
3. 𝑽𝟏 (−𝟓, −𝟑) and 𝑽𝟐 (−𝟓, −𝟏), 𝑬𝟏 (−𝟕, −𝟐) and 𝑬𝟐 (−𝟑, −𝟐).

The vertices have the same 𝑥 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠. This means that the hyperbola has vertical principal axis.

Find the center 𝑪(𝒉, 𝒌):

The midpoint of the the segment joining the vertices 𝑉1 (−5, −3) and 𝑉2 (−5, −1), is the center of the
hyperbola.
Thus,
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 −5 + (−5) −1 + (−3) −10 −4)
𝑪(𝒉, 𝒌) = 𝐶 ( , ) = 𝐶( , ) = 𝐶( , ) = 𝑪(−𝟓, −𝟐)
2 2 2 2 2 2

Find 𝒂:
𝒂 is the distance from the center to the vertex.
Since the center and the vertices have same 𝑥 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠.
Then, the distance is determined by the absolute value of the difference between the 𝑦 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠.
Now, (𝒙𝟏 , 𝒚𝟏 ) = (−5, −2); (𝒙𝟐 , 𝒚𝟐 ) = (−5, −1).
So, 𝒂 = |𝒚𝟐 − 𝒚𝟏 | = |−2 − (−1)| = |−2 + 1| = |−1| = 𝟏.

Find 𝒃:
𝑏 is the distance from the center to the endpoint of the conjugate axis.
Since the center and the endpoint of the conjugate axis have same 𝑦 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠.
Then, the distance is determined by the absolute value of the difference between the 𝑥 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠.
Now, (𝒙𝟏 , 𝒚𝟏 ) = (−5, −2); (𝒙𝟐 , 𝒚𝟐 ) = (−3, −2).
So, 𝒃 = |𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟏 | = |−5 − (−3)| = |−5 + 3| = |−2| = 𝟐.

Find the standard equation:

Since the hyperbola has vertical principal axis,
(𝒚−𝒌)𝟐 (𝒙−𝒉)𝟐
then, 𝒂𝟐
− 𝟐 = 𝟏. Substituting,
𝒃

(𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 (𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐
− =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐
(𝑦 − (−2))2 (𝑥 − (−5))2
− =1
12 22
(𝒚 + 𝟐)𝟐 (𝒙 + 𝟓)𝟐
− =𝟏
𝟏 𝟒
1.4.4 Word Problems on Hyperbola

An explosion is heard by two stations 1200 𝑚 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 340 𝑚/𝑠
as the speed of sound.

Solution:
Using the given speed of sound, we deduce that the sound travelled 𝟑𝟒𝟎(𝟐) = 𝟔𝟖𝟎 𝒎 farther in reaching
𝑭𝟐 than in reaching 𝑭𝟏 . This is then the difference of the distances of the explosion from the two stations.
Thus, the explosion is on a hyperbola with foci are 𝑭𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝟐 , on the branch closer to 𝑭𝟏 .

Find c:
𝐹1 (−600,0) and 𝐹2 (600,0), then 𝒄 = 𝟔𝟎𝟎

Find a:
𝟐𝒂 = 𝟔𝟖𝟎 ⟹ 𝒂 = 𝟑𝟒𝟎

Find 𝒃𝟐 :
𝒃𝟐 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 = 6002 − 3402 = 360000 − 115600 = 𝟐𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟎𝟎.

Find the equation:

The foci 𝐹1 (−600,0) and 𝐹2 (600,0) are horizontally aligned (the same y-values), hence the hyperbola has
horizontal principal axis.
Thus,
𝑥 2 𝑦2
− =1
𝑎2 𝑏 2
2
𝑥 𝑦2
− =1
3402 244400
𝟐 𝟐
𝒙 𝒚
− =𝟏
𝟏𝟏𝟓𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝟐𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟎𝟎

𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐
The explosion could therefore be anywhere on the left branch of the hyperbola 𝟏𝟏𝟓𝟔𝟎𝟎
−
𝟐𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟎𝟎
=𝟏.