How do you find the equation for a hyperbola centered at the origin with a horizontal transverse axis of lengths 8 units and a conjugate axis of lengths 6 units?

1 Answer
Dec 8, 2016

The equation is: (x - 0)^2/4^2 - (y - 0)^2/3^2 = 1(x0)242(y0)232=1

Explanation:

Using this reference Conics: Hyperbola, the general equation for a hyperbola with a transverse horizontal axis is:

(x - h)^2/a^2 - (y - k)^2/b^2 = 1" [1]"(xh)2a2(yk)2b2=1 [1]

where (h, k)(h,k) is the center, 2a2a is the length of transverse axis, and 2b2b is the length of the conjugate axis.

We are given that the center is, (0, 0)(0,0); substitute this into equation [1]:

(x - 0)^2/a^2 - (y - 0)^2/b^2 = 1" [2]"(x0)2a2(y0)2b2=1 [2]

We are given that the length of the horizontal transverse axis is 8; this allows us to write this equation:

2a = 82a=8

a = 4a=4

Substitute 4 for "a" in equation [2]:

(x - 0)^2/4^2 - (y - 0)^2/b^2 = 1" [3]"(x0)242(y0)2b2=1 [3]

We are given that the length of the horizontal transverse axis is 6; this allows us to write this equation:

2b = 62b=6

b = 3b=3

Substitute 3 for "b" in equation [3]:

(x - 0)^2/4^2 - (y - 0)^2/3^2 = 1" [4]"(x0)242(y0)232=1 [4]