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Right Hyperbola

A Hyperbola for which the Asymptotes are Perpendicular. This occurs when the Semimajor and Semiminor Axes are equal. Taking $a=b$ in the equation of a Hyperbola with Semimajor Axis parallel to the x-Axis and Semiminor Axis parallel to the y-Axis (i.e., vertical Directrix),

\begin{displaymath}
{(x-x_0)^2\over a^2} - {(y-y_0)^2\over b^2} = 1
\end{displaymath}

therefore gives

\begin{displaymath}
(x-x_0)^2-(y-y_0)^2=a^2.
\end{displaymath}

A special type of right hyperbola is the so-called Rectangular Hyperbola, which has equation $xy=ab$.

See also Hyperbola, Rectangular Hyperbola




© 1996-9 Eric W. Weisstein
1999-05-25