This hyperbola is centered at the origin. Find its equation.

Foci: [tex]\((-4,0)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((4,0)\)[/tex]

Vertices: [tex]\((-3,0)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((3,0)\)[/tex]

[tex]\[
\frac{x^2}{a^2} - \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1
\][/tex]



Answer :

To find the equation of a hyperbola, we need to understand the key parameters from the given details: the foci and the vertices.

1. Foci: [tex]\((-4, 0)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((4, 0)\)[/tex]
- The distance between the foci is [tex]\(8\)[/tex] units. Since the distance between each focus and the center is [tex]\(2c\)[/tex], we have:
[tex]\[ 2c = 8 \implies c = 4 \][/tex]

2. Vertices: [tex]\((-3, 0)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((3, 0)\)[/tex]
- The distance between the vertices is [tex]\(6\)[/tex] units. Since the distance between each vertex and the center is [tex]\(2a\)[/tex], we have:
[tex]\[ 2a = 6 \implies a = 3 \][/tex]

3. Relationship between [tex]\(a\)[/tex], [tex]\(b\)[/tex], and [tex]\(c\)[/tex] for a hyperbola:
- For a hyperbola centered at the origin with a horizontal transverse axis, the relationship is:
[tex]\[ c^2 = a^2 + b^2 \][/tex]

4. Calculate [tex]\(a^2\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ a^2 = 3^2 = 9 \][/tex]

5. Calculate [tex]\(c^2\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ c^2 = 4^2 = 16 \][/tex]

6. Calculate [tex]\(b^2\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ b^2 = c^2 - a^2 = 16 - 9 = 7 \][/tex]

Now, using [tex]\(a\)[/tex], [tex]\(b\)[/tex], and [tex]\(c\)[/tex] in the standard form of the hyperbola equation:
[tex]\[ \frac{x^2}{a^2} - \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 \][/tex]

Substitute [tex]\(a^2\)[/tex] and [tex]\(b^2\)[/tex] into the equation:
[tex]\[ \frac{x^2}{9} - \frac{y^2}{7} = 1 \][/tex]

Hence, the equation of the hyperbola centered at the origin with the given foci and vertices is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{\frac{x^2}{9} - \frac{y^2}{7} = 1} \][/tex]