Hyperbola

Hyperbola

A set of all coplanar points such that the difference of its distances from two fixed points is constant.

Vertices

The points where the hyperbola intersects the focal axis.

Transverse axis

The segment with endpoints that define the hyperbola.

Focal axis or Principal axis

The axis that contains the foci, the center, and the vertices of the hyperbola.

Conjugate axis

The axis perpendicular to the transverse axis at the center of the hyperbola, with no points in common with the hyperbola.

Latus rectum

A segment passing through a focus of the hyperbola that is perpendicular to the focal axis.

Auxiliary Rectangle

A rectangle that is not part of the hyperbola but plays an important role in graphing it. One pair of opposite sides passes through the vertices, perpendicular to the transverse axis, while the other pair passes through the endpoints of the conjugate axis.

Asymptotes

A pair of lines closely related to the hyperbola but not part of it. They intersect at the center of the hyperbola, and each passes through the opposite vertices of the auxiliary rectangle.