Foci (±4, 0), the latus rectum is of length 12.
Here, the foci are on the x-axis.
Therefore, the equation of the hyperbola is of the form \(\frac{x^2}{a^2} – \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1. \)
Since the foci are (±4, 0), c = 4.
Length of latus rectum = 12
\(⇒ \frac{2b^2}{a} = 12\)
\(2b^2 = 12a\)
\(b^2 = \frac{12a}{2 }= 6a\)
We know that
\(a^2 + b^2 = c^2\)
\(a^2 + 6a = 16\)
\(a^2 + 6a – 16 = 0\)
\(a^2 + 8a – 2a – 16 = 0\)
\((a + 8) (a – 2) = 0\)
\(a = -8\) or \(2\)
Since a is non-negative, \(a = 2\).
\(∴ b^2 = 6a = 6 \times 2 = 12\)
Thus, the equation of the hyperbola is \(\frac{x^2}{4} – \frac{y^2}{12} = 1\)
Figures 9.20(a) and (b) refer to the steady flow of a (non-viscous) liquid. Which of the two figures is incorrect ? Why ?
Hyperbola is the locus of all the points in a plane such that the difference in their distances from two fixed points in the plane is constant.
Hyperbola is made up of two similar curves that resemble a parabola. Hyperbola has two fixed points which can be shown in the picture, are known as foci or focus. When we join the foci or focus using a line segment then its midpoint gives us centre. Hence, this line segment is known as the transverse axis.