GRE Subject Test: Math : Hyperbolas

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Math

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #10 : Conic Sections

Using the information below, determine the equation of the hyperbola.

Foci:  and 

Eccentricity: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

General Information for Hyperbola:

Equation for horizontal transverse hyperbola:

Distance between foci = 

Distance between vertices = 

Eccentricity =

Center: (h, k)

First determine the value of c. Since we know the distance between the two foci is 12, we can set that equal to .

Next, use the eccentricity equation and the value of the eccentricity provided in the question to determine the value of a.

Eccentricity =

Determine the value of 

Determine the center point to identify the values of h and k. Since the y coordinate of the foci are 4, the center point will be on the same line. Hence, .

Since center point is equal distance from both foci, and we know that the distance between the foci is 12, we can conclude that 

Center point: 

Thus, the equation of the hyperbola is:

Example Question #1 : Hyperbolas

Using the information below, determine the equation of the hyperbola.

Foci:  and 

Eccentricity: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

General Information for Hyperbola:

Equation for horizontal transverse hyperbola:

Distance between foci = 

Distance between vertices = 

Eccentricity =

Center: (h, k)

First determine the value of c. Since we know the distance between the two foci is 8, we can set that equal to .

Next, use the eccentricity equation and the value of the eccentricity provided in the question to determine the value of a.

Eccentricity =

Determine the value of 

Determine the center point to identify the values of h and k. Since the y coordinate of the foci are 8, the center point will be on the same line. Hence, .

Since center point is equal distance from both foci, and we know that the distance between the foci is 8, we can conclude that 

Center point: 

Thus, the equation of the hyperbola is:

Example Question #4 : Conic Sections

Find the coordinate of intersection, if possible:   and .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve for x and y, set both equations equal to each other and solve for x.

Substitute  into either parabola.

The coordinate of intersection is .

Example Question #5 : Conic Sections

Find the intersection(s) of the two parabolas:   

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Set both parabolas equal to each other and solve for x.

Substitute both values of  into either parabola and determine .

The coordinates of intersection are:

 and 

Example Question #6 : Conic Sections

Find the points of intersection:

;

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, set both equations equal to each other:

To solve as a quadratic, combine like terms by adding/subtracting all three terms from the right side to the left side:

This simplifies to

Solving by factoring or the quadratic formula gives the solutions and .

Plugging each into either original equation gives us:

Our coordinate pairs are and .

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors