- #1
synergix
- 178
- 0
Homework Statement
Find an equation of the hyperbola that passes through the points (-3,-2) and (4, sqrt(5))
Homework Equations
x^2/a^2 -y^2/b^2=1 or y^2/a^2 - x^2/b^2 = 1
The Attempt at a Solution
To solve this problem I first started by setting up two equations containing the two ordered pairs. Then I solved for b for (1) and then substituted that into (2).
I used the standard form X^2/a^2 - y^2/b^2 = 1 for both
so..
(1) 9/a^2 - 4/b^2 = 1 and (2) 16/a^2 - 5/b^2 = 1
and...
I didn't get answers that checked.
I am wondering if I am even allowed to do that substitution I don't know if that is correct or not so what I am trying to determine is whether I am approaching this problem incorrectly or if my approach is sound but a mistake was made somewhere in my calculations?