In analytic geometry a hyperbola is a conic section formed by intersecting a right circular cone with a plane at an angle such that both halves of the cone are intersected. This intersection produces two separate unbounded curves that are mirror images of each other.

A hyperbola

Like the ellipse, the hyperbola can also be defined as a set of points in the coordinate plane. A hyperbola is the set of all points [latex]\left(x,y\right)[/latex] in a plane such that the difference of the distances between [latex]\left(x,y\right)[/latex] and the foci is a positive constant.

Notice that the definition of a hyperbola is very similar to that of an ellipse. The distinction is that the hyperbola is defined in terms of the difference of two distances, whereas the ellipse is defined in terms of the sum of two distances.

As with the ellipse, every hyperbola has two axes of symmetry. The transverse axis is a line segment that passes through the center of the hyperbola and has vertices as its endpoints. The foci lie on the line that contains the transverse axis. The conjugate axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis and has the co-vertices as its endpoints. The center of a hyperbola is the midpoint of both the transverse and conjugate axes, where they intersect. Every hyperbola also has two asymptotes that pass through its center. As a hyperbola recedes from the center, its branches approach these asymptotes. The central rectangle of the hyperbola is centered at the origin with sides that pass through each vertex and co-vertex; it is a useful tool for graphing the hyperbola and its asymptotes. To sketch the asymptotes of the hyperbola, simply sketch and extend the diagonals of the central rectangle.

Key features of the hyperbola

In this section we will limit our discussion to hyperbolas that are positioned vertically or horizontally in the coordinate plane; the axes will either lie on or be parallel to the x– and y-axes. We will consider two cases: those that are centered at the origin, and those that are centered at a point other than the origin.

Standard Form of the Equation of a Hyperbola Centered at the Origin

Let [latex]\left(-c,0\right)[/latex] and [latex]\left(c,0\right)[/latex] be the foci of a hyperbola centered at the origin. The hyperbola is the set of all points [latex]\left(x,y\right)[/latex] such that the difference of the distances from [latex]\left(x,y\right)[/latex] to the foci is constant.

If [latex]\left(a,0\right)[/latex] is a vertex of the hyperbola, the distance from [latex]\left(-c,0\right)[/latex] to [latex]\left(a,0\right)[/latex] is [latex]a-\left(-c\right)=a+c[/latex]. The distance from [latex]\left(c,0\right)[/latex] to [latex]\left(a,0\right)[/latex] is [latex]c-a[/latex]. The difference of the distances from the foci to the vertex is

[latex]\left(a+c\right)-\left(c-a\right)=2a[/latex]

If [latex]\left(x,y\right)[/latex] is a point on the hyperbola, we can define the following variables:

[latex]\begin{align}&{d}_{2}=\text{the distance from }\left(-c,0\right)\text{ to }\left(x,y\right)\\ &{d}_{1}=\text{the distance from }\left(c,0\right)\text{ to }\left(x,y\right)\end{align}[/latex]

By definition of a hyperbola, [latex]\lvert{d}_{2}-{d}_{1}\rvert[/latex] is constant for any point [latex]\left(x,y\right)[/latex] on the hyperbola. We know that the difference of these distances is [latex]2a[/latex] for the vertex [latex]\left(a,0\right)[/latex]. It follows that [latex]\lvert{d}_{2}-{d}_{1}\rvert=2a[/latex] for any point on the hyperbola. The derivation of the equation of a hyperbola is based on applying the distance formula, but is again beyond the scope of this text. The standard form of an equation of a hyperbola centered at the origin with vertices [latex]\left(\pm a,0\right)[/latex] and co-vertices [latex]\left(0\pm b\right)[/latex] is [latex]\dfrac{{x}^{2}}{{a}^{2}}-\dfrac{{y}^{2}}{{b}^{2}}=1[/latex].

A General Note: Standard Forms of the Equation of a Hyperbola with Center (0,0)

The standard form of the equation of a hyperbola with center [latex]\left(0,0\right)[/latex] and transverse axis on the x-axis is

[latex]\dfrac{{x}^{2}}{{a}^{2}}-\dfrac{{y}^{2}}{{b}^{2}}=1[/latex]

where

• the length of the transverse axis is [latex]2a[/latex]
• the coordinates of the vertices are [latex]\left(\pm a,0\right)[/latex]
• the length of the conjugate axis is [latex]2b[/latex]
• the coordinates of the co-vertices are [latex]\left(0,\pm b\right)[/latex]
• the distance between the foci is [latex]2c[/latex], where [latex]{c}^{2}={a}^{2}+{b}^{2}[/latex]
• the coordinates of the foci are [latex]\left(\pm c,0\right)[/latex]
• the equations of the asymptotes are [latex]y=\pm \dfrac{b}{a}x[/latex]

The standard form of the equation of a hyperbola with center [latex]\left(0,0\right)[/latex] and transverse axis on the y-axis is

[latex]\dfrac{{y}^{2}}{{a}^{2}}-\dfrac{{x}^{2}}{{b}^{2}}=1[/latex]

where

• the length of the transverse axis is [latex]2a[/latex]
• the coordinates of the vertices are [latex]\left(0,\pm a\right)[/latex]
• the length of the conjugate axis is [latex]2b[/latex]
• the coordinates of the co-vertices are [latex]\left(\pm b,0\right)[/latex]
• the distance between the foci is [latex]2c[/latex], where [latex]{c}^{2}={a}^{2}+{b}^{2}[/latex]
• the coordinates of the foci are [latex]\left(0,\pm c\right)[/latex]
• the equations of the asymptotes are [latex]y=\pm \dfrac{a}{b}x[/latex]

Note that the vertices, co-vertices, and foci are related by the equation [latex]{c}^{2}={a}^{2}+{b}^{2}[/latex]. When we are given the equation of a hyperbola, we can use this relationship to identify its vertices and foci.

(a) Horizontal hyperbola with center [latex]\left(0,0\right)[/latex] (b) Vertical hyperbola with center [latex]\left(0,0\right)[/latex]

Writing Equations of Hyperbolas in Standard Form

Just as with ellipses, writing the equation for a hyperbola in standard form allows us to calculate the key features: its center, vertices, co-vertices, foci, asymptotes, and the lengths and positions of the transverse and conjugate axes. Conversely, an equation for a hyperbola can be found given its key features. We begin by finding standard equations for hyperbolas centered at the origin. Then we will turn our attention to finding standard equations for hyperbolas centered at some point other than the origin.

Hyperbolas Centered at the Origin

Reviewing the standard forms given for hyperbolas centered at [latex]\left(0,0\right)[/latex], we see that the vertices, co-vertices, and foci are related by the equation [latex]{c}^{2}={a}^{2}+{b}^{2}[/latex]. Note that this equation can also be rewritten as [latex]{b}^{2}={c}^{2}-{a}^{2}[/latex]. This relationship is used to write the equation for a hyperbola when given the coordinates of its foci and vertices.

Hyperbolas Not Centered at the Origin

Like the graphs for other equations, the graph of a hyperbola can be translated. If a hyperbola is translated [latex]h[/latex] units horizontally and [latex]k[/latex] units vertically, the center of the hyperbola will be [latex]\left(h,k\right)[/latex]. This translation results in the standard form of the equation we saw previously, with [latex]x[/latex] replaced by [latex]\left(x-h\right)[/latex] and [latex]y[/latex] replaced by [latex]\left(y-k\right)[/latex].

The asymptotes of the hyperbola coincide with the diagonals of the central rectangle. The length of the rectangle is [latex]2a[/latex] and its width is [latex]2b[/latex]. The slopes of the diagonals are [latex]\pm \frac{b}{a}[/latex], and each diagonal passes through the center [latex]\left(h,k\right)[/latex]. Using the point-slope formula, it is simple to show that the equations of the asymptotes are [latex]y=\pm \frac{b}{a}\left(x-h\right)+k[/latex].

The standard form of the equation of a hyperbola with center [latex]\left(h,k\right)[/latex] and transverse axis parallel to the y-axis is
[latex]\dfrac{{\left(y-k\right)}^{2}}{{a}^{2}}-\dfrac{{\left(x-h\right)}^{2}}{{b}^{2}}=1[/latex]
where

• the length of the transverse axis is [latex]2a[/latex]
• the coordinates of the vertices are [latex]\left(h,k\pm a\right)[/latex]
• the length of the conjugate axis is [latex]2b[/latex]
• the coordinates of the co-vertices are [latex]\left(h\pm b,k\right)[/latex]
• the distance between the foci is [latex]2c[/latex], where [latex]{c}^{2}={a}^{2}+{b}^{2}[/latex]
• the coordinates of the foci are [latex]\left(h,k\pm c\right)[/latex]

Using the reasoning above, the equations of the asymptotes are [latex]y=\pm \frac{a}{b}\left(x-h\right)+k[/latex].

(a) Horizontal hyperbola with center [latex]\left(h,k\right)[/latex] (b) Vertical hyperbola with center [latex]\left(h,k\right)[/latex]

Like hyperbolas centered at the origin, hyperbolas centered at a point [latex]\left(h,k\right)[/latex] have vertices, co-vertices, and foci that are related by the equation [latex]{c}^{2}={a}^{2}+{b}^{2}[/latex]. We can use this relationship along with the midpoint and distance formulas to find the standard equation of a hyperbola when the vertices and foci are given.

Solving Applied Problems Involving Hyperbolas

As we discussed at the beginning of this section, hyperbolas have real-world applications in many fields, such as astronomy, physics, engineering, and architecture. The design efficiency of hyperbolic cooling towers is particularly interesting. Cooling towers are used to transfer waste heat to the atmosphere and are often touted for their ability to generate power efficiently. Because of their hyperbolic form, these structures are able to withstand extreme winds while requiring less material than any other forms of their size and strength. For example a 500-foot tower can be made of a reinforced concrete shell only 6 or 8 inches wide!

Cooling towers at the Drax power station in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom (credit: Les Haines, Flickr)

The first hyperbolic towers were designed in 1914 and were 35 meters high. Today, the tallest cooling towers are in France, standing a remarkable 170 meters tall. In Example 6 we will use the design layout of a cooling tower to find a hyperbolic equation that models its sides.

Example: Solving Applied Problems Involving Hyperbolas

The design layout of a cooling tower is shown below. The tower stands 179.6 meters tall. The diameter of the top is 72 meters. At their closest, the sides of the tower are 60 meters apart.

Project design for a natural draft cooling tower

Find the equation of the hyperbola that models the sides of the cooling tower. Assume that the center of the hyperbola—indicated by the intersection of dashed perpendicular lines in the figure—is the origin of the coordinate plane. Round final values to four decimal places.

Show Solution

We are assuming the center of the tower is at the origin, so we can use the standard form of a horizontal hyperbola centered at the origin: [latex]\dfrac{{x}^{2}}{{a}^{2}}-\dfrac{{y}^{2}}{{b}^{2}}=1[/latex], where the branches of the hyperbola form the sides of the cooling tower. We must find the values of [latex]{a}^{2}[/latex] and [latex]{b}^{2}[/latex] to complete the model.

First, we find [latex]{a}^{2}[/latex]. Recall that the length of the transverse axis of a hyperbola is [latex]2a[/latex]. This length is represented by the distance where the sides are closest, which is given as [latex]\text{ }65.3\text{ }[/latex] meters. So, [latex]2a=60[/latex]. Therefore, [latex]a=30[/latex] and [latex]{a}^{2}=900[/latex].

To solve for [latex]{b}^{2}[/latex], we need to substitute for [latex]x[/latex] and [latex]y[/latex] in our equation using a known point. To do this, we can use the dimensions of the tower to find some point [latex]\left(x,y\right)[/latex] that lies on the hyperbola. We will use the top right corner of the tower to represent that point. Since the y-axis bisects the tower, our x-value can be represented by the radius of the top, or 36 meters. The y-value is represented by the distance from the origin to the top, which is given as 79.6 meters. Therefore,

[latex]\begin{align}\dfrac{{x}^{2}}{{a}^{2}}&-\dfrac{{y}^{2}}{{b}^{2}}=1 && \text{Standard form of horizontal hyperbola}. \\ {b}^{2}&=\frac{{y}^{2}}{\frac{{x}^{2}}{{a}^{2}}-1} && \text{Isolate }{b}^{2} \\ &=\frac{{\left(79.6\right)}^{2}}{\frac{{\left(36\right)}^{2}}{900}-1} && \text{Substitute for }{a}^{2},x,\text{ and }y \\ &\approx 14400.3636 && \text{Round to four decimal places} \end{align}[/latex]

The sides of the tower can be modeled by the hyperbolic equation

[latex]\dfrac{{x}^{2}}{900}-\dfrac{{y}^{2}}{14400.3636 }=1,\text{ or }\dfrac{{x}^{2}}{{30}^{2}}-\dfrac{{y}^{2}}{{120.0015}^{2} }=1[/latex]