Setting e>1 in the conic definition gives the hyperbola — its distance from the focus is greater than e times its distance from the directrix.
Standard form: a2x2−b2y2=1, where b2=a2(e2−1). Foci (±c,0) with c2=a2+b2 (equivalently c=ae); vertices (±a,0); directrices x=±a/e=±a2/c. Transverse axis 2a (joins the vertices), conjugate axis 2b (does not meet the curve); latus rectum =2b2/a (same formula shape as the ellipse — proved by substituting x=ae=c).
Key difference property. For any point P on the hyperbola, ∣PS−PS′∣=2a (constant) — the hyperbola's analogue of the ellipse's focal-distance-sum property.
Asymptotes. Two straight lines the branches approach but never touch as ∣x∣→∞ — a feature unique to the hyperbola among the non-degenerate conics.
Centre (h,k): transverse axis parallel to x: a2(x−h)2−b2(y−k)2=1, vertices (h±a,k), foci (h±c,k), c2=a2+b2. Transverse axis parallel to y: a2(y−k)2−b2(x−h)2=1, vertices (h,k±a), foci (h,k±c). Unlike the ellipse, it is the SIGN (not the size) of the two denominators that marks the transverse-axis direction — whichever squared term is positive names the axis.
Reflective property. A ray directed at one focus reflects towards the other — ship/aircraft location and two-mirror telescopes (§Real-life Applications).
After completing the square on a general hyperbola equation, double-check the sign in front of each squared term before naming a2 and b2 — a common slip is to treat the larger denominator as a2 (the ellipse rule), which is wrong for a hyperbola.