Analytical Geometry - Conics - Rectangular Hyperbola

Prove that the tangent at any point to the rectangular hyperbola forms with the asymptotes a triangle of constant area.



Let the rectangular hyperbola be: $\;$ $xy = c^2$ $\;\;\; \cdots \; (1)$

The asymptotes of the rectangular hyperbola given by equation $(1)$ are the $X$ and $Y$ coordinate axes.

Any point $P \left(t\right)$ on equation $(1)$ is $\;$ $P \left(t\right) = P \left(ct, \dfrac{c}{t}\right)$

Equation of tangent at point $P \left(t\right)$ is

$x + yt^2 = 2ct$ $\;\;\; \cdots \; (2)$

Putting $y = 0$ in equation $(2)$, we get the coordinates of point $A$ as $A \left(2ct, 0\right)$.

Putting $x = 0$ in equation $(2)$, we get the coordinates of point $B$ as $B \left(0, \dfrac{2c}{t}\right)$

$\begin{aligned} \therefore \; \text{Area of } \triangle AOB & = \dfrac{1}{2} \times OA \times OB \\\\ & = \dfrac{1}{2} \times 2 ct \times \dfrac{2c}{t} \\\\ & = 2c^2 = \text{constant} \end{aligned}$

$\therefore$ $\;$ The tangent at any point to the rectangular hyperbola forms with the asymptotes a triangle of constant area.

Hence proved.