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Hyperbolas

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Welcome to the Hyperbola Module!

In the Cone Module, we learned that a hyperbola is a curve that is formed when a double-napped cone is cut by a plane which intersects both naps of the double-napped cone.

Since this plane cuts through both parts of the double-napped cone, the hyperbola has two distinct parts or branches.

Hyperbolas are such beautiful shapes that they have even been used in some modern architechture. For example, the planetarium at the St. Louis Science Centre was designed in a hyperbolic shape, representing the hyperbolic path in which some comets travel around our Sun.

"Courtesy of the St. Louis Science Center"

"Courtesy of the St. Louis Science Center"

Tidbits: Like the ellipse and the parabola, the hyperbola was named by Appolonius of Perga. The word hyperbola is derived from the french word 'hyperbole', meaning 'exceeding.'

In the following Module, you will learn more about hyperbolas and how they can be described.

Before you start, print off the Notes to keep you on task page. As you work through this module, fill in the blanks. At the end, you will then have some brief notes to study from.

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