document.write( "Question 1170614: Some comets, such as Halley's comet, are a permanent part of the solar system, traveling in elliptical orbits around the sun. Other comets pass through the solar system only once, following a hyperbolic path with the sun at a focus. The figure shows the path of such a comet.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "x^2 - y^2 = ___ x 10^__ \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #795494 by ikleyn(52797) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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document.write( "The equation should be of the form\r\n" );
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document.write( "     -  = 1,\r\n" );
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document.write( "as for general hyperbola equation, with the imposed condition a = b for its coefficients, providing \r\n" );
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document.write( "the right angle between asymptotes.\r\n" );
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document.write( "This coefficient \"a\" is the distance from the center (from the sun) to the vertex of the hyperbola, which is given\r\n" );
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document.write( "    a = 6 x 10^9 miles.\r\n" );
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document.write( "So, the equation is  \r\n" );
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document.write( "     -  = ,   or, which is the same\r\n" );
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document.write( "     -  = .       ANSWER\r\n" );
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