All GRE Subject Test: Math Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #4 : Conic Sections
Using the information below, determine the equation of the hyperbola.
Foci: and
Eccentricity:
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 : Conic Sections
Using the information below, determine the equation of the hyperbola.
Foci: and
Eccentricity:
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 #1 : Conic Sections
Find the coordinate of intersection, if possible: and .
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 #2 : Conic Sections
Find the intersection(s) of the two parabolas: ,
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 #1 : Solve A System Of Quadratic Equations
Find the points of intersection:
;
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 .