If the equation is
(you can tell which is aČ and which is bČ by the
fact that aČ is always larger than bČ. In this case,
the larger denominator is under the x-term.)
then this is an ellipse shaped like this: ᄋ
The center is (h,k)
The vertices are (h-a,k) and (h+a,k)
The covertices are (h,k-b) and (h,k+b)
The foci are (h-c,k) and (h+c,k),
where c is calculated from 
-------------------------
If the equation is
(In this case, the larger denominator is under
the y-term.)
then this is an ellipse shaped like this: 0
The center is (h,k)
The vertices are (h,k-a) and (h,k+a)
The covertices are (h-b,k) and (h+b,k)
The foci are (h,k-c) and (h,k+c)
where c is calculated from
-------------------------
If the equation is
(In a hyperbola you cannot go by which is larger,
as you can in an ellipse, because with a hyperbola
sometimes a is larger and sometimes b is larger and
sometimes a and b are equal. You have to go by
whether the x term or the y term comes first. aČ will
always be under the first term. In this case the x term
comes first)
Then this is a hyperbola shaped like this: )(
The center is (h,k)
The vertices are (h-a,k) and (h+a,k)
The covertices are (h,k-b) and (h,k+b)
The foci are (h-c,k) and (h+c,k)
where c is calculated from 
------------------------
If the equation is
(You have to go by whether the x term or the y
term comes first. In this case the y term comes
first)
then this is a hyperbola that opens upward and downward.
The center is (h,k)
The vertices are (h,k-a) and (h,k+a)
The covertices are (h-b,k) and (h+b,k)
The foci are (h,k-c) and (h,k+c)
where c is calculated from
-------------------------
Edwin
