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Substitute.
Simplify.
d=4
The constant difference is 4.
Check for understanding
Find the constant difference for a hyperbola with foci
F1 (0, 10) and F2 (0, 10) and the point on the hyperbola (6, 7.5).
d = |PF1 PF2 | Definition of the constant difference of a
hyperbola.
Distance Formula
Substitute.
Simplify.
d = 12
The constant difference is 12.
As the graphs in the following table show, a hyperbola
contains two symmetrical parts called branches.
A hyperbola also has two axes of symmetry. The
transverse axis of symmetry contains the vertices
and, if it were extended, the foci of the hyperbola. The
vertices of a hyperbola are the endpoints of the
transverse axis.
The conjugate axis of symmetry separates the two
branches of the hyperbola. The co-vertices of a
hyperbola are the endpoints of the conjugate axis.
The transverse axis is not always longer than the
conjugate axis.
The standard form of the equation of a hyperbola
depends on whether the hyperbolas transverse axis is
horizontal or vertical.
The values a, b, and c, are related by the equation
c2 = a2 + b2. Also note that the length of the
transverse axis is 2a and the length of the conjugate is
2b.
Example 2A: Writing Equations of Hyperbolas
Write an equation in standard form for the
hyperbola.
Step 1 Identify the form of the equation.
The graph opens horizontally, so the
equation will be in the form of:
x2 y2
2 = 1
a2 b
Step 2 Identify the center and the vertices.
The center of the graph is (0, 0), and the vertices are
(6, 0) and (6, 0), and the co-vertices are (0, 6),
and (0, 6). So a = 6, and b = 6.
Step 3 Write the equation.
Because a = 6 and b = 6, the equation of the graph
2 2 2 2
is x y x y
= 1, or = 1.
62 62 36 36
Example 2B: Writing Equations of Hyperbolas
Write an equation in standard form for each
hyperbola.
The hyperbola with center at the origin,
vertex (4, 0), and focus (10, 0).
Step 1 Because the vertex and the focus are on the
horizontal axis, the transverse axis is
horizontal and the equation is in the form
2
x2 y = 1 .
2
a2 b
Step 2 Use a = 4 and c = 10; Use c2 = a2 + b2 to
solve for b2.
102 = 42 + b2 Substitute 10 for c, and 4 for a. 84 = b2
x2 y2
Step 3 The equation of the hyperbola is = 1.
16 84
Check for understanding
Write an equation in standard form for each
hyperbola. Vertex (0, 9), co-vertex (7, 0)
Step 1 Because the vertex is on the vertical
axis, the transverse axis is vertical and the
y
equation is in the form 2 2 x 2
.
2 = 1
a b
Step 2 a = 9 and b = 7.