document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=182312>Question 182312</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> In the basic equation of a hyperbola what is the role of the semi-minor axis(b)? x^2/a^2 - y^2/b^2= 1, what is b? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #136852 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Mathtut><B>Mathtut(3670)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Mathtut><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=136852\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Unlike the ellipse, no points of the hyperbola actually lie on the semi-minor axis, but rather the ratio b/a determines the vertical scaling of the hyperbola. It also helps define the eccentricity. <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "when a=b asymptotes lie perpendicular to each other. </SPAN>\n" );
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