Conic Sections - The Hyperbola
On an (x, y) graph a hyperbola can have this shape:
If a plane intersects the cone when it is parallel to the axis, the conic section is a hyperbola. This is shown below:
Here is a VRML animation that shows several possibilities for forming a hyperbola by intersecting a cone and a plane. (For help with VRML go here.)
(If you view the full screen version, use your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page.)