Test 15 (Lessons 29–30): Ellipses and Hyperbolas Solutions
For problems 1–2, write the equation in standard form.
- An ellipse standard form
center (4, –1)
a = 3, b = 5
- A hyperbola
center (–5, 3)
a = 5, b = 8

- Write and graph the equation of a horizontal ellipse translated 2 spaces down from the center with a domain of and a range of
center (0, –2)
major:
minor:

- Describe how to determine if an ellipse will be horizontal or vertical when only given the equation in standard form.
Sample: The values of a and b determine the major and minor axes. When the ellipse has a horizontal major axis. When the ellipse has a vertical major axis.
- Explain how to find the asymptotes when given the equation of a hyperbola in standard form.
Sample: The center of the hyperbola and the slope are needed to write the equations of the asymptotes in point-slope form. The equation will be:
- Graph.
(–3, 2.5)
b = 4
a = 10

For problems 7–8, name the conic section from the given equation. Explain your reasoning.
The equation represents a hyperbola because both x and y have squared terms and the values of A and C are non-zero with different signs.
The equation represents a parabola because , and there is only one term raised to the second power. (Optional: The parabola opens to the right.)
- Write the equation in standard form. Name the type of conic and its center.
This is an ellipse with a center at
- A group of students was told that the equation would result in a hyperbola, but when they solved it, their result was an ellipse. Determine the correct equation and explain your reasoning.
Student work (contains error)
The group of students did not subtract from both sides. In order to have a hyperbola, and need to have opposite signs.