The Hyperbola Makes a Comeback

Lesson 4, Day 1

Challenge Section


The following questions are setup as challenges to the student:

1. Suppose l and m are intersecting lines and m is rotated around l to form a cone. Now a plane P intersects the cone.

Which position of P gives a hyperbola?

Which position of P gives an ellipse?

Which position of P gives a parabola?

Check the graphs presented below:

P parallel to m:

P parallel to l:

P perpendicular to l:

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2. Graph


 
 

Write several sentences comparing and contrasting the graphs. e.g. similarities: reflections, shape, length of the focal constant, asymptotes; differences: axis they lie on.

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3. Consider the hyperbola:

Find the coordinates of six points on the graph.

Give the equations for its asymptotes.

Use the results of the coordinates to determine which of the following is a reasonable graph of the hyperbola.

A.

B.

C.

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4. Compare the graphs of the following two hyperbolas:



and

How are these two graphs related?

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