 Define hyperbola.

 Derive the standard equation of hyperbola.

 Identify the different parts of hyperbola.
 Solve for the standard and general equation of hyperbola given some of its
properties.
 Sketch the graph of hyperbola in cartesian coordinate system.

Ellipse is the set of all points in a plane whose difference of the distance from two
fixed point, foci, are constant.

From this definition, the standard equation of hyperbola can be derived. Watch this
full video to learn how to derive the standard equation of hyperbola.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TQMJ09MLWM

General equation:
Ax2 + By2 + Cx + Dy + E = 0

This is the general equation of a circle.

Where,
 A, B, C, D, E is ℝ
 A or B is either ϵ ℝ

PRE CALCULUS | Hyperbola

 Standard equation:
(𝑥 − ℎ) (𝑦 − 𝑘)
+ =1
𝑎 𝑏
Where,
 h, k is the coordinate of the center of hyperbola; h is the abscissa while k is
ordinate of the center.
 a or b is either ϵ ℝ

Now that we are familiar to the standard and general equation of ellipse, let’s consider
its different properties.

Center
Center serves as the
reference point for your hyperbola.
It’s located at coordinate (h, k).

Foci
Foci are points positioned
inside the hyperbola. It is the one
that determines the curvature and
shape of the hyperbola.

Transverse Axis
Transverse axis is a line that
is parralel to the axis of hyperbola. It
contains the center, foci, and
vertices.

Vertex
Vertex is the deflection point of your hyperbola.

Co-vertex
Co-vertices serves as the boundary of the imaginary rectangle of a hyperbola. The
rectangle serves as the reference of the asymptotes of the hyperbola. The diagonals of the
said rectangle is a line segment that is being contained by the asymptotes of hyperbola.

Conjugate Axis
Conjugate axis is a line that is perpendicuolar to the axis of hyperbola. It contains the
co-vertices of hyperbola.

Eccentricity
Eccentricity is unlike to other properties of hyperbola it is not something that can be
visual seen. But it is a property that describes any conic section how it deviates from being a
circle. Hyperbola has a value of eccentricity greater than 1.

PRE CALCULUS | Hyperbola

 Properties Vertical Hyperbola Horizontal Hyperbola
–a –b
Axis Vertical Horizontal
Center c (h, k) c (h, k)
Foci f (h, k ± c) f (h ± c, k)
Vertex v (h, k ± b) v (h ± a, k)
Co-vertex cv (h ± a, k) cv (h, k ± b)
Transverse axis 2b 2a
Conjuagte axis 2a 2b
c2 b 2 + a2 a2 + b 2

1. Compute for the standard an general equation of an hyperbola whose center is located
at (0, 0), vertex at (0, 4), and covertex at (–3, 0).

We start by determining the standard equation of the hyperbola. To solve for the
standard equation we need to compute for the values of h, k, a, and b. But prior to getting the
values of h, k, a, and b we need to identify the axis of this hyperbola. Recall that the center
and vertex lies on the same line sgement which is the transverse axis. We can observe from
the given that the center and vertex has the same abscissa. This implies that the transverse
axis is a vertical line axis. Hence, the axis of the hyperbola is vertical.

Now that we’ve identified the axis of the hyperbola we can now solve the h, k, a, and
b. Consider the given center of ellipse:

c (0, 0) = c (h, k) ⇒ h = 0, k = 0

After computing for h and k. We now

need to solve for a and b. Note that this is a
vertical hyperbola, we can get a and b through
one of the the vertices and covertices.

v (0, 4) = v(h, k ± b) ⇒ 4 = k ± b
Since we already have the value for k, substitue k.
⇒4=0±b Consider the equation 4 = 0 – b (Note: you can
either use + or – in the equation.)
⇒4=0–b Solve for b. (Note: we need to consider ∣b∣)
⇒ 4 = –b
⇒4=b

PRE CALCULUS | Hyperbola

 We now need to solve for a. Referring to the table we can see that a can be solved from
one of the covertices. Thus, let’s consider covertex:

cv (–3, 0) = cv (h ± a, k) ⇒ –3 = h ± a Consider the value for h, substitute h.

⇒ –3 = 0 ± a Use the equation 2 = 1 + a (Note: you can
either use + or – in the equation.)
⇒ –3 = 0 + a Solve for a. (Note: we need to consider ∣a∣)
⇒3=a

With that we already have the values that we need to be used for the standard
equation:

h=0 k=0 a=3 b=4

Then, we subsitute the values to the standard equation.

Subsitute the values of h, k, a, and b to the

equation.

Perform necessary operation.

Standard equation of the ellipse.

We now solve the general equation of the ellipse.

Consider the standard equation.

9(y – 0)2 – 16(x – 0)2 = 144 Multiply both sides of equation by the
LCD.
9(y2) – 16(x2)= 144 Expand the binomial.
9y2 – 16x2 = 144 Distribute the constant.
–16x2 + 9y2 = 144 General equation.

2. Compute for the standard and general equation of hyperbola whose properties is located
at center (–1, 2), vertex (4, 2) and focus (6,2).

Begin by identifying the axis of the hyperbola. Consider the given center and vertex,
we can observe that they both have the same ordinate. This implies that the axis of the
hyperbola is horizontal. Given it is a horizontal hyperbola let’s use the table for horizontal
hyperbola.

PRE CALCULUS | Hyperbola

 Once the axis has been identified,
we now solve for the h, k, a, and b. Given
the center of hyperbola we have:

c (–1, 2) = c (h, k) ⇒ h = –1 k= 2

Next, solve for a, and b. Referring

to the table we can see that we can solve
for a using one of the vertices. In reference
to the vertex we have:

v (4, 2) = v (h ± a, k) ⇒ 4 = h ± a
⇒ 4 = –1 ± a Substitute the value of h.
⇒ 4 = –1 + a Use the equation 4 = –1 + a
⇒4+1=a Combine like terms
⇒a=5

Lastly, we need to compute for b. Referring to the table of horizontal hyperbola we

can see that the b can only be solved with one of the co-vertices, or conjugate axis. However,
none those properties are given instead we have one of the foci. So, let’s consider one of the
foci: (Note: We defined earlier that foci are points that lies in the transverse axis. The center
and one of the foci have the same value for ordinate. This implies that those two points can
be contained in a horizontal line segment which is also our transverse axis. It confirms our
assumption that this hyperbola is a horizontal hyperbola.)

f (6, 2) = f (h ± c, k) ⇒ 6 = h ± c
⇒ 6 = –1 ± c Substitute the value for h.
⇒ 6 = –1 + c Use the equation 6 = –1 + c
⇒6+1=c Combine like terms.
⇒c=7

Recall during the proof of the equation we established this equation, c 2 = a2 + b2. This
equation tells us that the square of the transverse axis plus the square of the conjugate axis
is equal to the square of the distance between the two foci. Let’s consider the equation:

c2 = a2 + b2 ⇒ b2 = c2 – a2 Substitute the values of a and c.

⇒ b2 = (7)2 – (5)2 square those values
⇒ b2 = 49 – 25 Perform necessary operation.
⇒ b2 = 24 Solve for b.
⇒ b = 2√6

We now have all the necessary values for h, k, a, and b.

h = –3 k=5 a=5 b = 2√6

PRE CALCULUS | Hyperbola

 Subsutitue the values to the standard equation;

Substitute the values h, k, a, and b.

Perform necessary operation.

Standard equation of the ellipse.

We can then proceed in solving for the general equation of ellipse.

Multiple both sides of the equation with

the LCD.
24(x + 3) – 25(y – 5) = 600
2 2 Expand the binomial.
24(x2 + 6x + 9)–25(y2 – 10y + 25) = 600 Distribute the constant to trinomial.
24x2+144x+216–25y2+250y–625=600 Combine like terms.
24x2 – 25y2 + 144x + 250y – 1009 = 0 General equation of the ellipse.

3. Solve for the standard and general equation of the ellipse that has a vertex at (–6, 3) and
covertex at (0, 7). Supposed the it’s a horizontal hyperbola.

For this problem, the axis is already

given. Thus, we may now proceed in
solving for h, k, a, and b. We now consider
the properties of horizontal hyperbola.

Note that the hyperbola is a

horizontal hyperbola. Thus, it implies the
following:

v (–6, 3) = v (h ± a, k)

Consequently, we have the following equation:

–6 = h ± a (eq. 1) k=3

Next consider the covertex,

cv (0, 7) = cv (h, k ± b)

Subsequently, we can have the following equation previous statement.

0=h 7 = k ± b (eq. 2)

PRE CALCULUS | Hyperbola

 Note from the vertex and covertex we were able to solve for the h, and k. To solve for
a and b, we need to use eq.1 and eq. 2.

Equation 1:

h ± a = –6
h + a = –6 Consider the equation h + a = –2
0 + a = –6 Substitute the value of h.
a = –6 Solve for a. (Note: a is a positive number.)
a=6

Equation 2:

k±b=7
k+b=7 Consider the equation k + b = 7
3+b=7 Substitute the value of k.
b=7–3 Solve for b.
b=4

Note that we define a and b should be ℝ+. Thus, we need to get the absolute values of
a and b.

a=6 b=4

Now we have the values that we need for the standard equation:

h=0 k=3 a=6 b=4

Substitute the values to the standard equation:

Perform necessary operation.

Standard equation of the ellipse.

We can now proceed in solving for the general equation of the ellipse.

Multiple both sides of equation with the

LCD.
4(x – 0)2 – 9(y – 3)2 = 144 Expand the binomial.
4(x2) – 9(y2 – 6x + 9) = 144 Distribute the constant to the trinomial.
4x2 – 9y2 + 54x – 81 = 144 Combine like terms.
4x2 + 9y2 – 54x – 225 = 0 General equation of the ellipse.

PRE CALCULUS | Hyperbola