Simple problem but no clue

• Jan 6th 2010, 02:12 AM
TomJerry
Simple problem but no clue
For finding the shape of the hyperbola, trace the equation $\frac{x^2}{a^2} - \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1$

I have no clue what to do???
• Jan 6th 2010, 03:15 AM
mr fantastic
Quote:

Originally Posted by TomJerry
For finding the shape of the hyperbola, trace the equation $\frac{x^2}{a^2} - \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1$

I have no clue what to do???

I suggest you Google hyperbola if you don't know how to draw a graph of this. Things to keep in mind include diagonal asymptotes and x-intercepts.
• Jan 6th 2010, 03:22 AM
abender
Quote:

Originally Posted by TomJerry
For finding the shape of the hyperbola, trace the equation $\frac{x^2}{a^2} - \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1$

$\frac{(x-h)^2}{a^2} - \frac{(y-k)^2}{b^2} = 1$

whereby

$c^2 = a^2 + b^2$ .

In your hyperbola, (h,k) = (0,0), so we have a start to this: The center is at the origin.

Note that if

$\frac{(y-k)^2}{b^2} - \frac{(x-h)^2}{a^2} = 1$

then the transverse axis would be vertical. However, the way we have it, with the x-term positive and the y-term negative, the traverse axis is horizontal