Lets say that given the foci and directrix of a hyperbola we solve for the conic equation to be $$16x^2-16y^2=256$$ Is it possible to divide by $16$ and simplify to $$x^2-y^2=16$$ or is that "not allowed"? I did so and was told I was wrong.
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It's fine, represents the same points. Maybe whoever said it was "wrong" wanted the "standard form" $x^2/(4^4)-y^2/(4^2)=1.$ – coffeemath Sep 20 '15 at 23:33
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Oops, in above comment the first denominator should just be $4^2$ not $4^4.$ – coffeemath Sep 20 '15 at 23:41