<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

A design for a cooling tower project is shown in [link] . 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.

The sides of the tower can be modeled by the hyperbolic equation. x 2 400 y 2 3600 = 1 or  x 2 20 2 y 2 60 2 = 1.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Key equations

Hyperbola, center at origin, transverse axis on x -axis x 2 a 2 y 2 b 2 = 1
Hyperbola, center at origin, transverse axis on y -axis y 2 a 2 x 2 b 2 = 1
Hyperbola, center at ( h , k ) , transverse axis parallel to x -axis ( x h ) 2 a 2 ( y k ) 2 b 2 = 1
Hyperbola, center at ( h , k ) , transverse axis parallel to y -axis ( y k ) 2 a 2 ( x h ) 2 b 2 = 1

Key concepts

  • A hyperbola is the set of all points ( x , y ) in a plane such that the difference of the distances between ( x , y ) and the foci is a positive constant.
  • The standard form of a hyperbola can be used to locate its vertices and foci. See [link] .
  • When given the coordinates of the foci and vertices of a hyperbola, we can write the equation of the hyperbola in standard form. See [link] and [link] .
  • When given an equation for a hyperbola, we can identify its vertices, co-vertices, foci, asymptotes, and lengths and positions of the transverse and conjugate axes in order to graph the hyperbola. See [link] and [link] .
  • Real-world situations can be modeled using the standard equations of hyperbolas. For instance, given the dimensions of a natural draft cooling tower, we can find a hyperbolic equation that models its sides. See [link] .

Section exercises

Verbal

Define a hyperbola in terms of its foci.

A hyperbola is the set of points in a plane the difference of whose distances from two fixed points (foci) is a positive constant.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

What can we conclude about a hyperbola if its asymptotes intersect at the origin?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

What must be true of the foci of a hyperbola?

The foci must lie on the transverse axis and be in the interior of the hyperbola.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

If the transverse axis of a hyperbola is vertical, what do we know about the graph?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Where must the center of hyperbola be relative to its foci?

The center must be the midpoint of the line segment joining the foci.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Algebraic

For the following exercises, determine whether the following equations represent hyperbolas. If so, write in standard form.

x 2 36 y 2 9 = 1

yes x 2 6 2 y 2 3 2 = 1

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

25 x 2 16 y 2 = 400

yes x 2 4 2 y 2 5 2 = 1

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

9 x 2 + 18 x + y 2 + 4 y 14 = 0

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

For the following exercises, write the equation for the hyperbola in standard form if it is not already, and identify the vertices and foci, and write equations of asymptotes.

x 2 25 y 2 36 = 1

x 2 5 2 y 2 6 2 = 1 ; vertices: ( 5 , 0 ) , ( 5 , 0 ) ; foci: ( 61 , 0 ) , ( 61 , 0 ) ; asymptotes: y = 6 5 x , y = 6 5 x

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

y 2 4 x 2 81 = 1

y 2 2 2 x 2 9 2 = 1 ; vertices: ( 0 , 2 ) , ( 0 , 2 ) ; foci: ( 0 , 85 ) , ( 0 , 85 ) ; asymptotes: y = 2 9 x , y = 2 9 x

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( x 1 ) 2 9 ( y 2 ) 2 16 = 1

( x 1 ) 2 3 2 ( y 2 ) 2 4 2 = 1 ; vertices: ( 4 , 2 ) , ( 2 , 2 ) ; foci: ( 6 , 2 ) , ( 4 , 2 ) ; asymptotes: y = 4 3 ( x 1 ) + 2 , y = 4 3 ( x 1 ) + 2

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

what are components of cells
ofosola Reply
twugzfisfjxxkvdsifgfuy7 it
Sami
58214993
Sami
what is a salt
John
the difference between male and female reproduction
John
what is computed
IBRAHIM Reply
what is biology
IBRAHIM
what is the full meaning of biology
IBRAHIM
what is biology
Jeneba
what is cell
Kuot
425844168
Sami
what is cytoplasm
Emmanuel Reply
structure of an animal cell
Arrey Reply
what happens when the eustachian tube is blocked
Puseletso Reply
what's atoms
Achol Reply
discuss how the following factors such as predation risk, competition and habitat structure influence animal's foraging behavior in essay form
Burnet Reply
cell?
Kuot
location of cervical vertebra
KENNEDY Reply
What are acid
Sheriff Reply
define biology infour way
Happiness Reply
What are types of cell
Nansoh Reply
how can I get this book
Gatyin Reply
what is lump
Chineye Reply
what is cell
Maluak Reply
what is biology
Maluak
what is vertibrate
Jeneba
what's cornea?
Majak Reply
what are cell
Achol
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 4

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, College algebra. OpenStax CNX. Feb 06, 2015 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11759/1.3
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'College algebra' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask