Graphing Hyperbola

The equation of a hyperbola depends on its orientation and center. When classified by the orientation of the transverse axis, the hyperbola can be either horizontal or vertical. Additionally, each form varies depending on whether the center is at the origin or elsewhere. Thus, there are four possible cases to consider when graphing a hyperbola.

However, to graph any hyperbola, the following steps are followed:

1. Writing the Equation in Standard Form (If Not Given)
2. Identifying the Center
3. Determining the Transverse Axis (Horizontal or Vertical)
4. Finding the Vertices and Co-vertices
5. Finding the Foci
6. Finding the Asymptotes
7. Sketching the Hyperbola

Horizontal Hyperbola – Centered at (0, 0)

The standard form of the equation for a horizontal hyperbola centered at (0, 0) is

${\dfrac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}-\dfrac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}=1}$

Here, the transverse axis is aligned along the x-axis, and the conjugate axis along the y-axis.

Let us graph the hyperbola ${\dfrac{x^{2}}{81}-\dfrac{y^{2}}{144}=1}$

Writing the Equation in Standard Form

In this case, the hyperbola is already in its standard form.

Identifying the Center

The center is at (0, 0)

Determining the Transverse Axis 

Its transverse axis is aligned along the x-axis, and thus, it is a horizontal hyperbola.

Finding the Vertices and Co-vertices

The coordinates of the vertices are (±a, 0) = (-9, 0) and (9, 0)

The coordinates of the co-vertices are (0, ±b) = (0, 12) and (0, -12)

Finding the Foci

Since c = ${\sqrt{a^{2}+b^{2}}}$

⇒ c = ${\sqrt{9^{2}+12^{2}}}$ = ${\sqrt{225}}$ = ${15}$

The coordinates of the foci are (±c, 0) = (-15, 0) and (15, 0)

Finding the Asymptotes

The equations of the asymptotes are 

y = ${\pm \dfrac{b}{a}x}$ = ${\pm \dfrac{12}{9}x}$ ⇒ y = ${\pm \dfrac{4}{3}x}$

Sketching the Hyperbola

We will now plot the vertices and co-vertices, then draw a central rectangle with sides parallel to the axes, passing through these points. The diagonals are extended, forming the asymptotes. This central rectangle and the asymptotes help shape the hyperbola graph accurately. Finally, the foci and asymptotes are marked, and a smooth curve is traced, as shown.

Vertical Hyperbola – Centered at (0, 0)

The standard form of the equation for a vertical hyperbola centered at (0, 0) is ${\dfrac{y^{2}}{a^{2}}-\dfrac{x^{2}}{b^{2}}=1}$ 

Here, the transverse axis is aligned along the y-axis, and the conjugate axis along the x-axis.

Let us graph the hyperbola ${\dfrac{x^{2}}{81}-\dfrac{y^{2}}{144}=1}$

Writing the Equation in Standard Form

In this case, the hyperbola is already in its standard form.

Identifying the Center

The center is at (0, 0)

Determining the Transverse Axis 

Its transverse axis is aligned along the y-axis, and thus, it is a vertical hyperbola.

Finding the Vertices and Co-vertices 

The coordinates of the vertices are (0, ±a) = (0, 6) and (0, -6)

The coordinates of the co-vertices are (±b, 0) = (-8, 0) and (8, 0)

Finding the Foci

Since c = ${\sqrt{a^{2}+b^{2}}}$

⇒ c = ${\sqrt{6^{2}+8^{2}}}$ = ${\sqrt{100}}$ = ${10}$

The coordinates of the foci are (0, ±c) = (0, 10) and (0, -10)

Finding the Asymptotes

The equations of the asymptotes are 

y = ${\pm \dfrac{a}{b}x}$ = ${\pm \dfrac{6}{8}x}$ ⇒ y = ${\pm \dfrac{3}{4}x}$

Sketching the Hyperbola

Now, plotting the vertices, co-vertices, and asymptotes and then drawing the central rectangle, we get:

Horizontal Hyperbola – Centered at (h, k)

The standard form of the equation for a horizontal hyperbola centered at (h, k) is ${\dfrac{\left( x-h\right) ^{2}}{a^{2}}-\dfrac{\left( y-k\right) ^{2}}{b^{2}}=1}$ 

Here, the transverse axis is parallel to the x-axis.

Let us graph the hyperbola ${\dfrac{\left( x-7\right) ^{2}}{25}-\dfrac{\left( y-3\right) ^{2}}{144}=1}$

Writing the Equation in Standard Form

Here, the hyperbola is already in its standard form.

Identifying the Center

The center is at (h, k) = (7, 3)

Determining the Transverse Axis 

Its transverse axis is parallel to the x-axis, and thus, it is a horizontal hyperbola.

Finding the Vertices and Co-vertices 

The coordinates of the vertices are (h ± a, k) = (7 ± 5, 3) = (2, 3) and (12, 3)

The coordinates of the co-vertices are (h, k ± b) = (7, 3 ± 12) = (7, -9) and (7, 15)

Finding the Foci

Since c = ${\sqrt{a^{2}+b^{2}}}$

⇒ c = ${\sqrt{5^{2}+12^{2}}}$ = ${\sqrt{169}}$ = ${13}$

The coordinates of the foci are (h ± c, k) = (7 ± 13, 3) = (-6, 3) and (20, 3)

Finding the Asymptotes

The equations of the asymptotes are 

y = ${\pm \dfrac{b}{a}\left( x-h\right) +k}$ = ${\pm \dfrac{12}{5}\left( x-7\right) +3}$

Sketching the Hyperbola

Now, plotting the vertices, co-vertices, and asymptotes and then drawing the central rectangle, we get

Vertical Hyperbola – Centered at (h, k)

The standard form of the equation for a horizontal hyperbola centered at (h, k) is ${\dfrac{\left( y-k\right) ^{2}}{a^{2}}-\dfrac{\left( x-h\right) ^{2}}{b^{2}}=1}$

Here, the transverse axis is parallel to the y-axis.

Let us graph the hyperbola ${\dfrac{\left( y-7\right) ^{2}}{25}-\dfrac{\left( x-3\right) ^{2}}{144}=1}$ 

Writing the Equation in Standard Form

Here, the hyperbola is already in its standard form.

Identifying the Center

The center is at (h, k) = (3, 7)

Determining the Transverse Axis 

Its transverse axis is parallel to the y-axis, and thus, it is a vertical hyperbola.

Finding the Vertices and Co-vertices 

The coordinates of the vertices are (h, k ± a) = (3, 7 ± 5) = (3, 2) and (3, 12)

The coordinates of the co-vertices are (h ± b, k) = (3 ± 12, 7) = (-9, 7) and (15, 7)

Finding the Foci

Since c = ${\sqrt{a^{2}+b^{2}}}$

⇒ c = ${\sqrt{5^{2}+12^{2}}}$ = ${\sqrt{169}}$ = ${13}$

The coordinates of the foci are (h, k ± c) = (3, 7 ± 13) = (3, -6) and (3, 20)

Finding the Asymptotes

The equations of the asymptotes are 

y = ${\pm \dfrac{a}{b}\left( x-h\right) +k}$ = ${\pm \dfrac{5}{12}\left( x-3\right) +7}$ 

Sketching the Hyperbola

Now, plotting the vertices, co-vertices, and asymptotes and then drawing the central rectangle, we get