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•A hyperbola is the locus of points related to two given points F and F’ such
that the difference in distances of each point from the two given points is
constant.
Points F and F’ are the “foci,” points A and A’ where the hyperbola intersects
the x-axis are the “vertexes,” the x-coordinate values of vertexes A and A’ are
called x-intercepts, the y-coordinate values of vertexes A and A’ are called y-
intercepts, and straight lines l and l' , which get closer to the hyperbola as
they move away from the foci are “asymptotes.”
14 - 2 Graphing a Conic Section
Vertex
A’
Vertex
A
Focus F'
Focus F
Asymptote
l
Asymptote
l'
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