Question

Write the equation of a hyperbola with vertices at (-4, 0) and (4, 0) and co-vertices (0, 5) and (0, -5)?

Answer 1

i am getting to be an expert at these !

Answer 2

it is clear what the center is ?

Answer 3

No, I'm not sure what the center is

Answer 4

half way between the vertices

Answer 5

so once again at the origin, which makes life much easier

Answer 6

also before you can find the equation you need to have an idea of what it looks like
then it will be really easy to find the equation

Answer 7

ok, I think I understand now, I will type the answer once I finish writing it down

Answer 8

since vertices are at \((-4,0)\) and \((4,0)\) the center is half way between them at \((0,0)\) and i looks like this

Answer 9

ok i will wait and see what you write

Answer 10

would the answer be y^2/16-x^2/25=1?

Answer 11

damn so close

Answer 12

or is the x before the y?

Answer 13

hint: because it looks like the ugly picture i wrote above, the \(x^2\) term should be first

Answer 14

yeah

Answer 15

that is why i wrote above
"also before you can find the equation you need to have an idea of what it looks like"

Answer 16

oh, so then it would be x^2/25-y^2/16=1

Answer 17

yes
lets check it
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=hyperobola+x^2%2F16-y^2%2F25%3D1
yup