Definition:Hyperbola/Transverse Axis

Parts of Hyperbola

 

Consider a hyperbola $K$ whose foci are $F_1$ and $F_2$.

The transverse axis of $K$ is the line segment joining the vertices of $K$.

In the above diagram, $V_1 V_2$ is the transverse axis of $K$.

Also known as

Many sources give this as the major axis, but at $\mathsf{Pr} \infty \mathsf{fWiki}$ the policy is to use the latter term to mean the (infinite) straight line passing through the vertices and foci of $K$.

Also see

• Definition:Conjugate Axis of Hyperbola

• Definition:Major Axis of Hyperbola
• Definition:Minor Axis of Hyperbola

Linguistic Note

The plural of axis is axes, which is pronounced ax-eez not ax-iz.

Compare basis.

Sources

• 1933: D.M.Y. Sommerville: Analytical Conics (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {V}$. The Hyperbola: $2$.
• 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Entry: hyperbola
• 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Entry: transverse axis