Guest

Solved Examples on Hyperbola

Example:

        Show that the line 4x – 3y = 9 touches the hyperbola 4x2 – 9y2 = 27.

Solution:

We know that if the line y = mx + c touches the hyperbola x2/a2–y2/b2 = 1, then c2= a2m2 – b2

Here the hyperbola is
 
        x2/(27/4)–y2/(27/9) = 1
 
i.e. here a2 = 27/4                               b2 = 27/9 = 3
 
And comparing 4x – 3y = 9 with y = mx + c, we get
 
        ‘m’ = 4/3,              ‘c’ = –3
 
∴ a2m2 – b2 = (27/4)(4/3)3 – 3 = 12 – 3 = 9 = (–3)2
 

 or a2m2 – b2 = c2

Hence the given line touches the given hyperbola.

 
Example:
 
Prove that the mid points of chords of the hyperbola x2/a2–y2/b2 = 1 parallel to the diameter y = mx lie on the diameter a2my = b2x
 
Solution:
 
        The hyperbola is x2/a2–y2/b2 = 1                                            …… (1)
 
The equation of any chord parallel to the diameter
 
         y = mx is y = mx + c                                          …… (2)
 
Eliminating y between (1) and (2), we get
 
         x2/a2–(mx+c)2/b2 = 1
 
⇒ x2(b2 – a2m2) – 2a2m cx – a2(b2 + c2) = 0
 
 b2x3 = a2my3
 
 The locus of (x3, y3) is
 
         b2x = a2my                 Hence proved.
 

 Example:

 
Prove that the angle subtended b any chord of a rectangular hyperbola at the centre is the supplement of the angle between the tangents at the end of the chord.
 
Solution:
 
Let the equation of the hyperbola be x2 – y2 = a2 and P and Q be any two points on it such that their coordinates are respectively (a sec ?1, a tan ?1) and (a sec ?2, a tan ?2) and C be the centre of the hyperbola.
 
Equation of the line PC is y – 0 = atan?1–0/asec?1–0 (x – 0)
 
         y = x sin ?1                                                  …… (1)
 
Similarly equation to QC will be y = x sin ?2                    …… (2)
 
If a be the angle between PC and QC, then
 
        tan α = sin?1–sin?2/1+sin?1sin?2                          …… (3)
 
Again the equation to the tangent at P is
 
        x a sec ?1– y a tan ?1 = a2
 
        y = x/sin?1 – acos?1/sin?1                                  …… (4)
 
Similarly the equation to the tangent at Q2 is
 
        y = x/sin?2  a cos?2/sin?2
 
If b be the angle between the tangents at f1 and f2, then
 
        tan ß = 1/sin?2 1/sin?2/1+1/sin?1 1/sin?2 = sin?2–sin?1/1+sin?1sin?2
 
                = –(sin?1–sin?2)/1+(sin?1sin?2)
 
 tanß = –tanα
 
 tanß = tan (π – α)                    (By (3))

 ß = π – α                                 Hence proved.

 

Solved Examples of Hyperbola Part-II

Example:

The normal to the hyperbola 16x2 – 9y2 = 144 meets the axes in M and N. MP and NP and are drawn at right angles to the axes. Find the locus of P.
 
Solution:
 
        The equation to the hyperbola is
 
                x2/a2 – y2/b2 = 1                                     …… (1)
 
Let L be any point on it having the coordinates (3 sec ?, 4 tan ?) then the equation to the normal at this point will be given by
 
                3x sin ? + 4y = (9 + 16) tan ?                    …… (2)
 
Let this normal cut the axis of x at M whose coordinates are (x, 0) and the axis of y at N whose coordinates are (0, y) solving (2) with y = 0, we get
 
        x = 9+16/3cos? = 25/3cos?                                …… (3)
 

941_Parallel lines to the axes.JPG

 
Similarly solving (2) with x = 0, we get
 
        y = (9+16)tan?/4 = 25tan?/4                               ……(4)
 
If PM and PN be the lines parallel to the axes, the coordinates of 
P = (x, y) will be clearly given by (3) and (4). The required locus of P will be obtained by eliminating ? from (3) and (4).
 
Using the fact sec2 ? – tan2 ? = 1, we get
 
        9x2 – 16y2 = 625
 
Example:
 
Prove that a circle can be drawn through the foci of a hyperbola and the points at which any tangent meets the tangents at the vertices of the hyperbola.
 
Solution:
 
Recall:
 
If four points (x1, y1), (x2, y2), (x3, y3) and (x4, y4) are concyclic then
 
        

              824_Matrix 2.JPG

 
These points are (ae, 0), (–ae, 0), (a, b tan ?/2) and (–a, –b cot f/2)
 
        

              2315_Matrix 3.JPG

 
apply : R1 → R1 – R2 and expand along R1, we get
 
        = (–2ae) 1302_matrix 4.JPG
 
= (–2aeb) [(a2 e2 – a2 – b2) cot ?/2 + 9a2e2 – b2 – a2) tan ?/2] = 0
 
∴ points S, S’, R and Q are conclycic.
 
Example:
 
On a level plain the crack of the rifle and the thud of the ball striking the target are heared at the same instant, prove that the locus of the hearer is a hyperbola.
 
Solution:
 
Suppose A to be the target and B to be the firing point and let the hearer be at a point P. If V1 and V2 be the velocity of the sound and bullet respectively, then the time taken by the bullet in reaching from B to the target A = BA/v2 and the time taken by the sound in reaching from A to P = AP/v1.
 
Again the time taken by the sound in reaching from B to P = BP/v1.
 
As by hypothesis the sound reaches the hearer at P, simultaneously, the time taken by the sound to reach upto the position P from then target together with the time taken by the bullet to reach the target must be same as the time taken by the sound in reaching from the rifle upto P.
 
Hence BA/v2 + AP/v1 = BP/v1
 
 BA/v2 = BP/v1 – AP/v1 = 1/v1 (BP – AP)
 
 BP – AP = v1/v2 AB
 
As v1, v2 and AB are constants, hence
 
        BP –AP = Constant
 
Therefore the locus of the point P is the hyperbola having foci at A and B and transverse axis equal to v1/v2 AB
 

Example:

Prove that the locus of the pole of a chord of the hyperbola which subtends a right angles at the vertex, is, x = a2–b2/a2+b2.
 
Solution:
 
The coordinates of the vertex are (a, 0). Transferring the origin to this point, the equation of the hyperbola x2/a2–y2/b2 becomes;
 
        (x+a)2/a2– y2/b2 = 1
 
 x2/a2–y2/b2 = –2x/a
 
⇒ b2x2 – a2y2 = –2ab2x                                         …… (1)
 
The equation to the polar of (h, k) w.r.t hyperbola is given by
 
        b2hx – a2hky = a2b2                                             …… (2)
 
After transformation the equation (2) becomes
 
        b2(x + a)h – a2yk = a2b2
 
 
or     b2hx – a2yk = a2b2 – ab2h                                     …… (3)
 
The equation of the lines joining the points of intersection of the hyperbola and the chord to the origin is obtained by making (1) homogeneous with the help of (3). Hence on simplification, this equation becomes
 
        (a2b2 – ab2h) (b2x2 – a2y2) = –2ab2x(b2xh – a2yk)
 
If they are at right angles, the sum of the coefficients of x2 and y2 must be zero; hence
 
        b2 – a2 + 2b2h/a–h = 0
 
generalizing for (h, k), we get the required locus as
 
        x = a a2–b2/a2+b2
 
Example:
 
Find the locus of intersection of tangent to a hyperbola, which meet at a constant angle ß.
 
Solution:
 
Let the equation to the hyperbola be
 
         x2/a2–y2/b2 = 1                                             …… (1)
 
Equation to any tangent to (1) is
 
        y = mx + √a2m2–b2
 
If the tangent passes through a point (h, k) when we must have
 
        k = mh + √(a2m2–b2)
 
or     m2(h2 – a2) – 2mhk + (k2 + b2) = 0                        …… (2)
 
Let m1 and m2 be the two roots of this equation.
 
 m1 = tanθ1 and m2 = tanθ2, we have
 
           tanθ1 + tanθ2 = 2hk/h2–a2
 
           tanθ1 × tanθ2 = k2+b2/h2–a2
 
and as (tanθ1 – tanθ2)2 = 4h2k2–4(k2+b2)(h2–a2)/(h2–a2)2.
 
           = 4(a2k2–b2h2+a2b2)/(h2–a2)2
 
If the two tangents met at an angle ß, clearly ß = (θ1  θ2).
 
Hence cotß = cot(θ1  θ2)
 
         = 1/tan(θ1θ2) = 1+tanθ1tanθ2/tanθ1–tanθ2
 
 cot2ß = (1+tanθ1tanθ2)2/(tanθ1–tanθ2)2 = (h2+k2+b2–a2)2/4(a2k2–b2h2+a2b2)2
 
Simplifying, the required locus is
 
        (x2 + y2 + b2 – a2)2 = 4cot2b(a2y2 – b2x2 + a2b2)2
 
 
Example:
 
Find the equation to the hyperbola whose asymptotes are the straight lines x + 3y – 1= 0 and 2x – y + 7 = 0, and which passes through the point (1, 2).
 
Solution:
 
Equation to the asymptotes are given as
 
         x + 3y – 1 = 0    and                                           …… (1)
 
         2x – y + 7 = 0                                                    …… (2)
 
(1) and (2) may be given by
 
         (x + 3y – 1)(2x – y + 7) = 0                                 …… (3)
 
As the equation to the hyperbola will differ from (3) only by a constant, it may be given by
 
        (x + 3y – 1)(2x – y + 7) =  λ                                  …… (4)
 
(where λ is a constant)
 
(1, 2) lies on the curve given by (4), we have
 
        (1 + 6 – 1)(2 – 2 + 7) = λ
 
 λ = 42
 
Hence the equation to the hyperbola will be
 
        (x + 3y – 1)(2x – y + 7) = 42
 
 2x2 – xy + 6xy + 7x – 3y2 + 21y – 2x + y – 7 = 42
 
  2x2 – 3y2 + 5xy + 5x + 22y – 49 = 0
 

Solved Examples of Hyperbola Part-III

Example:

Prove that the locus of the pole of a chord of the hyperbola which subtends a right angles at the vertex, is, x = a2–b2/a2+b2.
 
Solution:
 
The coordinates of the vertex are (a, 0). Transferring the origin to this point, the equation of the hyperbola x2/a2–y2/b2 becomes;
 
        (x+a)2/a2– y2/b2 = 1
 
 x2/a2–y2/b2 = –2x/a
 
⇒ b2x2 – a2y2 = –2ab2x                                         …… (1)
 
The equation to the polar of (h, k) w.r.t hyperbola is given by
 
        b2hx – a2hky = a2b2                                             …… (2)
 
After transformation the equation (2) becomes
 
        b2(x + a)h – a2yk = a2b2
    
or     b2hx – a2yk = a2b2 – ab2h                                     …… (3)
 
The equation of the lines joining the points of intersection of the hyperbola and the chord to the origin is obtained by making (1) homogeneous with the help of (3). Hence on simplification, this equation becomes
 
        (a2b2 – ab2h) (b2x2 – a2y2) = –2ab2x(b2xh – a2yk)
 
If they are at right angles, the sum of the coefficients of x2 and y2 must be zero; hence
 
        b2 – a2 + 2b2h/a–h = 0
 
generalizing for (h, k), we get the required locus as
 
        x = a a2–b2/a2+b2
 
Example:
 
Find the locus of intersection of tangent to a hyperbola, which meet at a constant angle ß.
 
Solution:
 
Let the equation to the hyperbola be
 
         x2/a2–y2/b2 = 1                                             …… (1)
 
Equation to any tangent to (1) is
 
        y = mx + √a2m2–b2
 
If the tangent passes through a point (h, k) when we must have
 
        k = mh + √(a2m2–b2)
 
or     m2(h2 – a2) – 2mhk + (k2 + b2) = 0                        …… (2)
 
Let m1 and m2 be the two roots of this equation.
 
 m1 = tanθ1 and m2 = tanθ2, we have
 
           tanθ1 + tanθ2 = 2hk/h2–a2
 
           tanθ1 × tanθ2 = k2+b2/h2–a2
 
and as (tanθ1 – tanθ2)2 = 4h2k2–4(k2+b2)(h2–a2)/(h2–a2)2.
 
           = 4(a2k2–b2h2+a2b2)/(h2–a2)2
 
If the two tangents met at an angle ß, clearly ß = (θ1  θ2).
 
Hence cotß = cot(θ1  θ2)
 
         = 1/tan(θ1θ2) = 1+tanθ1tanθ2/tanθ1–tanθ2
 
 cot2ß = (1+tanθ1tanθ2)2/(tanθ1–tanθ2)2 = (h2+k2+b2–a2)2/4(a2k2–b2h2+a2b2)2
 
Simplifying, the required locus is
 
        (x2 + y2 + b2 – a2)2 = 4cot2b(a2y2 – b2x2 + a2b2)2
 
 
Example:
 
Find the equation to the hyperbola whose asymptotes are the straight lines x + 3y – 1= 0 and 2x – y + 7 = 0, and which passes through the point (1, 2).
 
Solution:
 
Equation to the asymptotes are given as
 
         x + 3y – 1 = 0    and                                           …… (1)
 
         2x – y + 7 = 0                                                    …… (2)
 
(1) and (2) may be given by
 
         (x + 3y – 1)(2x – y + 7) = 0                                 …… (3)
 
As the equation to the hyperbola will differ from (3) only by a constant, it may be given by
 
        (x + 3y – 1)(2x – y + 7) =  λ                                  …… (4)
 
(where λ is a constant)
 
(1, 2) lies on the curve given by (4), we have
 
        (1 + 6 – 1)(2 – 2 + 7) = λ
 
 λ = 42
 
Hence the equation to the hyperbola will be
 
        (x + 3y – 1)(2x – y + 7) = 42
 
 2x2 – xy + 6xy + 7x – 3y2 + 21y – 2x + y – 7 = 42
 
  2x2 – 3y2 + 5xy + 5x + 22y – 49 = 0

To read more, Buy study materials of Hyperbola comprising study notes, revision notes, video lectures, previous year solved questions etc. Also browse for more study materials on Mathematics here.


TOP Your EXAMS!

Upto 50% Scholarship on Live Classes

Course Features

  • Video Lectures
  • Revision Notes
  • Previous Year Papers
  • Mind Map
  • Study Planner
  • NCERT Solutions
  • Discussion Forum
  • Test paper with Video Solution

r