Q:

A camera is placed in front of a hyperbolic mirror. The equation of the hyperbola that models the mirror is y^2/16-x^2/9=1 where x and y are in inches the camera is pointed toward the vertex of the hyperbolic mirror and is positioned such that the lens is at the nearest focus to that vertex. The lens is_____ inch(es) from the mirror.

Accepted Solution

A:
Answer:The lens is 6 inches from the mirrorStep-by-step explanation:We need to find the distance of the lens from the mirror, if  the camera is pointed toward the vertex of the hyperbolic mirror and is positioned such that the lens is at the nearest focus to that vertex.Given: [tex]\frac{y^2}{16} - \frac{x^2}{9}=1[/tex]where a² = 16 and b² = 9Then c² = a² + b²c² = 16+9c² = 25c= √25 = 5The hyperbola is centered at (0,0)The vertex is at (0,a) = (0,4)The foci is at (0,c) = (0,5)The distance from vertex to focus isd= c-a = 5-4 = 1 inchesTotal distance from lens to mirror is sum of distance d and foci c:5+1= 6 inches