key term - Conjugate Axis

Definition

The conjugate axis of a hyperbola is the line segment that passes through the center of the hyperbola and is perpendicular to the transverse axis. It represents the shorter of the two principal axes of the hyperbola.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The conjugate axis of a hyperbola is always perpendicular to the transverse axis and passes through the center of the hyperbola.
2. The length of the conjugate axis is represented by the variable $b$, while the length of the transverse axis is represented by the variable $a$.
3. The eccentricity of a hyperbola is calculated as $e = \sqrt{1 + (b/a)^2}$, where $a$ and $b$ are the lengths of the transverse and conjugate axes, respectively.
4. The asymptotes of a hyperbola are determined by the slopes $\pm b/a$, which are perpendicular to the conjugate axis.
5. The conjugate axis is important in determining the shape and properties of a hyperbola, as it, along with the transverse axis, defines the overall geometry of the curve.

Review Questions

• Explain the relationship between the conjugate axis and the transverse axis of a hyperbola.
  • The conjugate axis and the transverse axis are the two principal axes of a hyperbola. The conjugate axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis and passes through the center of the hyperbola. The length of the conjugate axis is represented by the variable $b$, while the length of the transverse axis is represented by the variable $a$. The relationship between these two axes is crucial in determining the shape and properties of the hyperbola, such as its eccentricity and the slopes of its asymptotes.
• Describe how the conjugate axis and the transverse axis are used to calculate the eccentricity of a hyperbola.
  • The eccentricity of a hyperbola is a measure of how much the curve deviates from being circular. It is calculated as $e = \sqrt{1 + (b/a)^2}$, where $a$ and $b$ are the lengths of the transverse and conjugate axes, respectively. The eccentricity value ranges from 0 to infinity, with a value greater than 1 indicating a hyperbolic curve. The conjugate axis, along with the transverse axis, is a key factor in determining the eccentricity and, consequently, the overall shape and properties of the hyperbola.
• Analyze the role of the conjugate axis in defining the asymptotes of a hyperbola.
  • The asymptotes of a hyperbola are the two straight lines that the hyperbola approaches but never touches. The slopes of these asymptotes are determined by the lengths of the transverse and conjugate axes, specifically as $\pm b/a$, where $a$ and $b$ are the lengths of the transverse and conjugate axes, respectively. The conjugate axis, being perpendicular to the transverse axis, plays a crucial role in defining the orientation and slopes of the asymptotes, which are essential characteristics of the hyperbolic curve. Understanding the relationship between the conjugate axis and the asymptotes is vital in analyzing and describing the overall behavior and properties of a hyperbola.

Related terms

Transverse Axis:

The transverse axis of a hyperbola is the line segment that passes through the center of the hyperbola and is parallel to the vertices. It represents the longer of the two principal axes of the hyperbola.

Eccentricity:

Eccentricity is a measure of how much a hyperbolic curve deviates from being circular. It is the ratio of the distance between the foci to the length of the transverse axis.

Asymptotes:

The asymptotes of a hyperbola are the two straight lines that the hyperbola approaches but never touches. They are determined by the lengths of the transverse and conjugate axes.