Graph the hyperbola #&\frac {\large x^2}{ \large \sf 4} - \frac {\large y^2}{\large \sf 1} = {\sf 1}.#&

1. What is the orientation of the transverse axis?

2. Determine the values of a and b.
a = b =

3. The center of the hyperbola is .

4. The vertices of a hyperbola with a horizontal transverse axis are
(−a, 0) and (a, 0). The vertices of this hyperbola are and .

5. Calculate c using a2 + b2 = c2.
Therefore, c2 = .

6. The foci of the hyperbola are #&(-\sqrt {\sf 5}, 0)#& and #&(\sqrt {\sf 5}, 0).#&

7. The directrices are #&x = \pm \frac {\large a^2}{\large c}#&, or #&x = \pm \frac {\large 4}{\sqrt {\large \sf 5}}#&.

8. The slope of the asymptotes is #&\pm \frac {\large b}{\large a}#&, or #&\pm#& .

9. Press Continue to draw two smooth curves passing through each vertex and approaching each asymptote.

dude!