R Ruby New member Joined Apr 6, 2007 Messages 6 May 5, 2007 #1 Can a hyperbola ever intersect its directerix? My thoughts are no, only because I've never seen one intersect, but is it possible?
Can a hyperbola ever intersect its directerix? My thoughts are no, only because I've never seen one intersect, but is it possible?
S soroban Elite Member Joined Jan 28, 2005 Messages 5,584 May 6, 2007 #2 Re: Hyperbola Hello,Ruby! Can a hyperbola ever intersect its directerix? Click to expand... You're right . . . The answer is NO. A conic is generated from a point (focus) and a line (directrix). Code: : * : * * Focus * * o * * : * * - - - - - - - - - - - - - - directrix The curve always bends toward the focus and away from the directrix. . . Think of the focus as an "attractor", the directrix is a "repeller". This is true for all conic curves.
Re: Hyperbola Hello,Ruby! Can a hyperbola ever intersect its directerix? Click to expand... You're right . . . The answer is NO. A conic is generated from a point (focus) and a line (directrix). Code: : * : * * Focus * * o * * : * * - - - - - - - - - - - - - - directrix The curve always bends toward the focus and away from the directrix. . . Think of the focus as an "attractor", the directrix is a "repeller". This is true for all conic curves.
