Hyperbola Definition – What it is, Meaning and Concept

The Greek word hyperbolḗ came to Latin as hyperbŏla. In our language the concept arrived as hyperbola, a term that is used in the field of geometry.

Hyperbola is called curve with two spotlights what turns out symmetrical with respect to a pair of axes perpendicular to each other. To draw a hyperbola, cut a straight cone with a plane, generating an angle smaller than that formed by the generatrix with respect to the axis of revolution.

A hyperbola presents two open branches. Both are directed in opposite directions, indefinitely approaching two asymptotes. This means that, considering two fixed points, the difference of their distances is constant.

A formal definition indicates that considered two points (F1 Y F2) which are called spotlights, the hyperbola is the set of points of the plane in which the absolute value that is registered when considering the difference of their distances to the foci (the aforementioned F1 Y F2) it’s constant.

In addition to the foci, other elements can be recognized in the hyperbola. Among them are the focal axis (the line that passes through both foci), the secondary shaft (the bisector that joins the segment that goes from one focus to another), the center (the point of intersection of these axes) and the vertices.

According to the smallest or largest opening of the branches of the hyperbola, its eccentricity. This eccentricity is known by dividing half the distance from the focal axis by half the distance from the major axis.