Math Problem Statement

Suppose a and b are nonzero numbers. Find a formula in terms of y for the distance from a typical point (x, y) with y > 0 on the hyperbola (y^2/b^2) - (x^2/a^2) = 1 to the point (0, sqrt(a^2 + b^2)).

Solution

We are given a hyperbola y2b2x2a2=1\frac{y^2}{b^2} - \frac{x^2}{a^2} = 1, and the task is to find the formula for the distance from any point (x,y)(x, y) on the hyperbola, where y>0y > 0, to the point (0,a2+b2)\left( 0, \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} \right).

Steps:

  1. Distance formula: The distance dd between two points (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) and (x2,y2)(x_2, y_2) in the plane is given by:

    d=(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}

    In this case, the distance from (x,y)(x, y) on the hyperbola to (0,a2+b2)\left( 0, \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} \right) is:

    d=(x0)2+(ya2+b2)2d = \sqrt{(x - 0)^2 + \left( y - \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} \right)^2}

    Simplifying, we have:

    d=x2+(ya2+b2)2d = \sqrt{x^2 + \left( y - \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} \right)^2}

  2. Relation between xx and yy on the hyperbola: Since (x,y)(x, y) lies on the hyperbola, the equation y2b2x2a2=1\frac{y^2}{b^2} - \frac{x^2}{a^2} = 1 holds. From this, we can express x2x^2 in terms of y2y^2:

    x2a2=y2b21\frac{x^2}{a^2} = \frac{y^2}{b^2} - 1

    Solving for x2x^2:

    x2=a2(y2b21)x^2 = a^2 \left( \frac{y^2}{b^2} - 1 \right)

    x2=a2y2b2a2x^2 = \frac{a^2 y^2}{b^2} - a^2

  3. Substitute into the distance formula: Now we substitute x2x^2 into the distance formula:

    d=(a2y2b2a2)+(ya2+b2)2d = \sqrt{\left( \frac{a^2 y^2}{b^2} - a^2 \right) + \left( y - \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} \right)^2}

    This gives the required distance formula in terms of yy.


Would you like further details or assistance with any step in the process? Also, here are five related questions that can extend the topic:

  1. What are the asymptotes of the given hyperbola?
  2. How do we derive the equation of a hyperbola from its geometric definition?
  3. What is the geometric meaning of the distance calculated in this problem?
  4. How does the shape of the hyperbola change with different values of aa and bb?
  5. Can we generalize this problem for hyperbolas that are not centered at the origin?

Tip: When working with conic sections, always try to simplify one variable in terms of the other using the defining equation before applying more complex formulas.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Analytic Geometry
Hyperbolas
Distance Formula

Formulas

Distance formula: d = sqrt((x2 - x1)^2 + (y2 - y1)^2)
Hyperbola equation: (y^2 / b^2) - (x^2 / a^2) = 1

Theorems

Distance formula
Hyperbola properties

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate level (Math 32)