|
Other
curves: conics The hyperbola,
 This display illustrates a
property of all hyperbolas. Any hyperbola has two points called the foci -
points F1 and F2 in the diagram. Any point on the hyperbola has the property
that the difference of its distances from F1 and F2 is always the same, and
equal to the length AB. Move point F1 or F2 to see this. You can change the
distance AB too. (Note that AB has to be less than the distance between the
foci; otherwise you get another conic curve altogether.)
 |
Conic
curves
The hyperbola is an example of a conic curve. This means that
you can make a slice (shown in green) through a cone that creates a hyperbolic
cross-section (shown in red). |
|
|