(Effective Alternative Secondary Education)

MATHEMATICS II
Y

MODULE 3

Variation

BUREAU OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

Department of Education
DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City

1
 Module 3
Variation

What this module is about

This module deals with the variation of more than two variables. Both direct and
inverse variations may occur in the same problem. Joint variation are quantities that are
directly related. But when joint variation is combined with inverse variation, then it is called
combined variations.

What you are expected to learn

1. identify relationship involving two or more variables.

2. find the relation and constant of variation
3. apply the concept of proportionality.

How much do you know

A. Using k as the constant of variation, write the equation of variation for each of the
following:

1. The area (A) of a parallelogram varies jointly as its base (b) and its
altitude (a).
2. The volume (V) of a pyramid varies jointly as its base area (b) and its
altitude (a).
3. The area of the circle varies directly as the square of its radius.
4. U varies jointly as the square of m and inversely as n.
5. V varies jointly with l, w and h.
6. The volume (V) of a cube varies directly as the cube of its edge (e).
7. The force (F) needed to push an object along a flat surface varies directly
as the weight (w) of the object.
8. The altitude (h) of a cylinder is inversely proportional to the square of its
radius (r).

2
 9. M varies directly as r and inversely as s.
10. Q varies jointly as R and T.

What you will do

Lesson 1

Joint Variation

This lesson deals with another concept of variation, the joint variation.

Some physical relationships, as in area or volume, may involve three or more

variables simultaneously.

Consider the area of a rectangle which is obtained from the formula A lw where l
is the length w is the width of the rectangle. The table shows the area in square
centimetres for different values of the length and the base.

l 2 4 5 6 6 8 8 10
w 3 3 3 5 7 7 11 13
A 6 12 15 30 42 56 88 130

Observe that A increases as either l or w increase or both. Then it is said that

the area of a rectangle varies jointly as the length and the width.

1
Consider the area of a triangle, which is obtained from the formula: A ab
2
where b is the base and a is the altitude of the triangle. The table shows the area in
square centimetres for different values of the base and altitude, both being in centimetres.

b 2 4 4 6 6 8 8 10
a 3 3 5 5 7 7 11 13
A 3 6 10 15 21 28 44 65

Observe that A increases as either b or a increase or both. We say that the area of
a triangle varies jointly as the base and the altitude.

Examples:

3
 1. Find an equation of variation where a varies jointly as b and c, and a 36 when
b 3 and c 4 .

Solution: a kbc

36 k (3)(4) substitute the set of given data to find k

36
k apply the properties of equality
12

k 3

Therefore, the required equation of variation is: a 3bc

2. z varies jointly as x and y . If z 16 when x 4 and y 6 , find the constant of

variation and the equation of the relation.

Solution: z kxy

: 16 k (4)(6) substitute the set of given data to find k

16
k apply the properties of equality
24
2
k
3
2
The equation of the variation is: z xy
3

3. The area A of a triangle varies jointly as the base b and the altitude a of the
triangle. If A 65cm 2 when b 10cm and a 13cm , find the area of a triangle whose
base is 8cm and altitude is 11cm.

Solution: A kab the equation of the relation

: 65 k (13)(10) substitute the set of given data to find k

65
k apply the properties of equality
130
1
k
2

4
 1
The equation of the variation is: A ab
2
Therefore, when a 11 and b 8 , the area of the triangle is

1
A (11)(8)
2
A 44cm 2

4. The area A of rectangle varies jointly as the length l and the width w and
A 180cm 2 when l 9cm and w 5cm . Find the area of a rectangle whose length
is 20cm and whose width is 5cm .

Solution : A klw the equation of the relation

: 180 k (9)(5) substitute the set of given data to find k

180
k apply the properties of equality
45
k4

Therefore, when l 9cm and w 5cm .

A 4lw

A 4(20)(5)

A 400cm 2

5. The volume ( V ) of a prism on a square base varies jointly as the height ( h ) and the
square of a side ( s ) of the base of the prism. If the volume is 81cm3 when a side of
the base is 4cm and the height is 6cm, write the equation of the relation.

Solution:
Express the relation as:

V ks 2 h

81 k (4) 2 (6) substitute the given values for V ,s and h

5
 81 k (16)(6)

81
k reduce to lowest term
96

27
k
32
27 2
The equation of variation is V s h
32

6. Extending the problem on the previous example, find the volume of the prism if a
side of the base is 7 cm and the height is 12 cm.

Solution:
27 2
V s h from the previous example
32

27
V (7) 2 (12) substitute the given values for s and h
32

27
V (49)(12)
32

27
V (588)
32

15876
V
32
V 496.125cm3

7. The volume ( V ) of a prism on a square base varies jointly as the

height ( h ) and the square of a side ( s ) of the base of the prism.

A. If the volume is 72 cm3 when a side of the base is 3 cm and

the height is 8 cm, write the equation of the relation.

Solution:
V ks 2 h where k is the constant of variation

72 k (3) 2 (8) substitute the given to find k

6
 72 k (9)(8)

72 72k
72
k
72
` k 1

The equation of the relation is V s 2 h

B. Find the volume when a side of the base is 5 cm and the height is 14 cm.

Solution: V (5) 2 (14) substitute the given values for s and h

V (25)(14)

V 350cm3

C. By how many percent is the original volume V1 increased if a side is

increased by 10% and the height is 20%.

Solution:
Denote the new side by S and the new height by H . As a result; S = 1.1s
since the side is increased by 10% and H = 1.2h since the height is
increased by 20%. Then the new volume V2 is:

V2 S 2 H

V2 (1.1s ) 2 (1.2h)

V2 (1.21s 2 )(1.2h)

V2 1.452 s 2 h

Since V1 s h , we may substitute V1 into the results, which gives

2

V2 1.452V1 .

The increase in volume is 0.452 of the original volume V1 . To change 0.452 to

percentage, multiply it by 100% that will give you:

(0.452)(100%) 45.2%

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 The following illustrations are applications of variation in different fields of
mathematics like Geometry, Engineering, etc.

Examples:

1. The volume of a right circular cylinder varies jointly as the height and the square of
the radius. The volume of a right circular cylinder, with radius 4 centimetres and
height 7 centimetres, is 352 cm3. Find the volume of another cylinder with radius 8
centimetres and height 14 centimetres.
r
Solution:

The equation of the relation is V khr 2

h
From the given set of data: r 4 cm
h 7 cm
V 352 cm3

To find k substitute the values above:

V khr 2
V
k rearranging the equation above
hr 2
352
k
(7)(4) 2
352
k
(7)(16)
22
k simplifying the fraction
7

To find the volume of a cylinder with r = 8 cm and h = 14 cm:

22
V (13)(8) 2
7

22
V (14)(64)
7

V 2816 cm3

8
 2. The horsepower h required to propel a ship varies directly as the cube of its speed
s . Find the ratio of the power required at 14 knots to that required at 7 knots.

Solution:
The equation of the relation is h ks 3
The ratio of power required at 14 knots to 7 knots is
h2 k (14)3

h1 k (7)3

h2 (14)3
the k ' s cancel out
h1 (7)3

h2 2744

h1 343

h2 8

h1 1

3. The pressure P on the bottom of a swimming pool varies directly as the depth d of
the water. If the pressure1 is 125 Pa2 when the water is 2 metres deep, find the
pressure when it is 4.5 metres deep.

Solution 1: P kd
P
k solving for the constant of variation
d
125
k since P = 125 when d = 2
2

k 62.5

P 62.5d

P (62.5)(4.5)

P 281.25 Pa

1
Pressure is defined as the force exerted per unit area
2
Pascal (Pa) is the metric unit for pressure

9
 Solution 2: In this solution, you do not need to find k. The equation P kd
P P
maybe written as k , meaning that the ratio is a constant. Therefore:
d d
P1 P2

d1 d 2

125 P2

2 4.5

(125)(4.5)
P2
2

P2 281.25 Pa

4. The horsepower required to propel a ship varies directly as the cube of its speed. If
the horsepower required for a speed of 15 knots is 10 125, find the horsepower
required for a speed of 20 knots.

Solution: let P = required horsepower

s = speed, in knots

Since P varies directly as s3, you have

P ks 3 (1)

10,125 k (15)3

10,125
k
(15)3
10,125
k
3, 375

k 3
P 3(20)3 substitute k = 3 and s = 20 in (1)

P 3(8000)
P 24, 000 hp

10
5. The weight of a rectangular block of metal varies jointly as its length, width and
thickness. If the weight of a 13 by 8 by 6 dm block of aluminum is 18.7 kg, find the
weight of a 16 by 10 by 4 dm block of aluminum.

Solution: Let W weight in kilograms

l length in decimeters
w width in decimeters
t thickness in decimeters

Since the weight of the metal block varies jointly as its length, width and thickness
you have:

W klwt
W
k
lwt
18.7
k
(13)(8)(6)

18.7
k
576

18.7
Substitute k , l 16 , w 10 and t 4 in the equation W klwt to get
576
the weight of the desired block:

18.7
W (16)(10)(4)
576

W 20.8 kg weight of the 16 by 10 by 4 dm block

6. The amount of coal used by a steamship traveling at uniform speed varies jointly as
the distance traveled and the square of the speed. If a steamship uses 45 tons
of coal traveling 80 km at 15 knots, how many tons will it use if it travels 102 km at
20 knots?

Solution: Let T = number of tons used

s = the distance in miles
v = the speed in knots

and then T = k(sv2) (1)

hence, when T = 45, s = 80 and v = 15, you have

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 45 = k(80)(152)

k = ___45___
(80)(225)

k = __1__
400

Substituting this value for k in (1), you have

T = __1__ (120)(202)
400

T = 48000
400

T = 120 tons

Try this out

A. Translate each statement into mathematical statement. Use k as the constant of

variation.

1. P varies jointly as q and r .

2. V varies jointly with l , w and h .
3. The area A of a parallelogram varies jointly as the base b and altitude h .
4. The volume of a cylinder V varies jointly as its height h and the square of the
radius r .
5. The heat H produced by an electric lamp varies jointly as the resistance R and
the square of the current c .

6. The area A of a parallelogram varies jointly as the base b and altitude a

7. The volume V of a pyramid varies jointly as the base area b and the
altitude a .

8. The area A of a triangle varies jointly as one-half the base b and the
altitude h .
9. The appropriate length (s) of a rectangular beam varies jointly as its width (w) and its
depth (d).
10. The area A of a square varies jointly as its diagonals d1 and d 2 .

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B. Solve for the value of the constant of variation k, then find the missing value.

1. z varies jointly as x and y and z = 62 when x = 5 and y = 6.

a. find z when x = 7 and y = 8

b. find x when z = 72 and y = 4
c. find y when z = 82 and x = 4

2. z varies jointly as x and y . If z 3 when x 3 and y 15 , find z when x 6

and y 9 .

3. z varies jointly as the square root of the product x and y . If z 3 when x 3

and y 12 , find x when z 6 and y 8 .

4. d varies jointly as o and g. If d = 15, when o = 14 and g = 5, find g when o = 21

and d = 8.

5. q varies jointly as r and s. If q = 2.4, when r = 0.6 and s = 0.8, find q when r = 1.6
and s = .01.

6. d varies jointly as e and l . If d = 2.4, when e = 0.6 and l = 0.8, find d when e = 1.6
and l = .01.

7. x varies jointly as w, y and z. If x = 18, when w = 2, y = 6 and z = 5, find x when

w = 5, y = 12 and z = 3.

8. z varies jointly as x and y. z = 60 when x = 3 and y = 4. Find y when z =80 and x =2 .

9. The weight W of a cylindrical metal varies jointly as its length l and the square of
its diameter d

a. If W = 6 kg when l = 6 cm and d = 3 cm, find the equation of variation.

b. Find l when W = 10 kg and d = 2 cm.
c. Find W when d = 6 cm and l = 1.4 cm.

10. The amount of gasoline used by a car varies jointly as the distance traveled and the
square root of the speed. Suppose a car used 25 liters on a 100 kilometer trip at
100 km/hr. About how many liters will it use on a 192 kilometer trip at 64 km/hr?

C. What did the pig say when the man grabbed him by the tail?

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 5 16
50 4 30 3 8 12
4 5 3
48 3 3 2 2 18

192 21 4 40
40

Directions: Answer the questions below then transfer the letter associated to each question
to the box which contains the correct answer.

I If z varies jointly as x and y, and z = 24, S Z varies jointly as x and y and z = 60

when x = 2 and y = 4, find z when x = 2 when x = 3 and y = 4. Find y when z = 80
and y = 5 and x = 2.
N If z varies jointly as x and y and z = 12, E If w varies jointly as x and y and w = 36
when x = 2 and y = 4, find the constant of when x = 3 and y = 4, find the constant of
variation. variation.
S If z varies jointly as x and y and z = 24, T If A varies jointly as l and w and A is 36
when x = 3 and y = 4, find z when x = 3 when l = 9 and w = 2, find A if l = 6 and
and y = 2. w = 4.
H If a varies jointly as c and d, and O If w varies jointly as x and y 2
and
a = 20, when c = 2 and d = 4. Find d when w = 24 when x = 2 and y = 3, find the value
a = 25 and c = 8. of w when x = 9 and y = 4.
E If z varies jointly as x and the square of H If varies jointly as w 2
and l and A = 48
y and z = 20, when x = 4 and y = 2. Find z when w = 3 and l = 4, find the value of A
when x = 2 and y = 4. when w = 9 and l = 15.
T If z varies jointly as x and the square of M x varies jointly as and y and z = 48,
y and z = 40, when x = 5 and y = 4. Find z when x = 4 and y = 3, find the constant of
when x = 4 and y = 5. variation.
F If y varies directly as x and if y = 15 I p varies jointly as r and s and p = 32
when x = 5, find the value of y if x = 7. when r = 3 and s = 2. Find the constant of
variation.
E If w varies jointly as x and y and if w = D If y varies directly as x and y = 6 when
15 when x = 2 and y = 3, find the value of x = 8, what is the value of y when x = 24?
w if x = 3 and y = 4.

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 Lesson 2

Combined variation

Combined variation is another physical relationship among variables. This is the

kind of variation that involves both the direct and inverse variations.

This relationship among variables will be well illustrated in the following examples.

Examples:

A. The following are mathematical statements that show combined variations.

I
1. k
Prt
E
2. k
IR
c
3. k
ar
Pv
4. k
t
ab 2
5. k
c

B. Translate each statement into a mathematical statement. Use k as the constant of

variation.

ak
1. T varies directly as a and inversely as b. T
b
kx
2. Y varies directly as x and inversely as the square of z. Y 2
z

kx 2
3. P varies directly as the square of x and inversely as s. P
s

4. The time t required to travel is directly proportional to the kT

temperature T and inversely proportional to the pressure P. t
P

15
 kt
5. The pressure P of a gas varies directly as its P
temperature t and inversely as its volume V. V

The following examples are combined variation where some terms are unknown and
can be obtained by the available information.

C. If z varies directly as x and inversely as y, and z = 9 when

x = 6 and y = 2, find z when x = 8 and y = 12.

Solution:
kx
The equation is z
y

Substituting the given values:

k6
9
2
9
k
3
k 3
(3)(8)
z
12

z2

D. x varies directly as y and inversely as z . If x 15 when y 20 and z 40 , find x

when y 12 and z 20 .

ky
Solution: The equation is x
z

Substituting the given values to find k where x 15 when y 20 and z 40 ,

k 20
15
40
(15)(40)
k
20
k 30

16
 To find x when y 12 and z 20

ky
Using the equation x
z
(30)(12)
x
20
x 18

E. t varies directly as m and inversely as the square of n . if t 16 when m 8 and

n 2 , find t when m 13 and n 3 .

Solution:
km
The equation of the variation: t
n2

To find k , where t 16 , m 8 and n 2 , substitute the given values

k (8)
16
(2) 2
16(2) 2
k
8
(16)(4)
k
8
64
k
8
k 8

To find t when m 13 and n 3

(8)(13)
t
(3)2
104
t or
9
5
t 11
9

17
 3
F.. r varies jointly as s and t and inversely as u . If r when s 10 , t 3 and
28
u 56 , find r when s 6 , t 7 and u 84 .

Solution:
kst
The equation of the variation: r
u
Substitute the given values to find k :

3 k (10)(3)

28 56
(3)(56)
k
(28)(10)(3)
2
k
10
1
k
5

To find r when s 6 , t 7 and u 84 .

kst
r
u
1
(6)(7)
r5
84
42 1
r
5 84

1
r
10

G. Given: w varies directly as the product of x and y and inversely as the square of z
. If w 9 when x 6 , y 27 and z 3 , find w when x 4 , y 7 and z 2 .

Solution:
kxy
The equation: w
z2
Substituting the first given set of values to the equation, where w 9 , x 6 , y 27
and z 3

18
 k (6)(27)
9
(3) 2
k (162)
9
9
81 162k
81
k or
162
1
k
2
1
Find the value of w when k and use the second set of values when x 4 , y 7
2
and z 2 , you have

kxy
w
z2
1
(4)(7)
w 2
22
(2)(7)
w
4
7
w or
2
w 3.5

H. The current I varies directly as the electromotive force E and inversely as the
resistance R . If in a system a current of 20 A flows through a resistance of 20 with
an electromotive force of 100 V, find the current that 150 V will send through the
system.

Solution: Let I = the current in A (ampere)

E = electromotive force in V (volts)
R = ( ohms)

kE
The equation: I
R
Substitute the first set of given data:

19
 I = 20 A
E = 100 V
R = 20

By substitution, find k:
k100
20
20
(20)(20)
k
100
400
k
100
k 4

To find how much (I) current that 150 V will send through the system

(4)(150)
I
20
I 30

Notice, the system offers a resistance of 20 .

Try this out

A. Using k as the constant of variation, write the equation of variation for each of the
following.

1. W varies jointly as the square of a and c and inversely as b.

2. The electrical resistance (R) of a wire varies directly as its length ( l ) and inversely
as the square of its diameter (d).

3. The acceleration A of a moving object varies directly as the distance d it travels

and varies inversely as the square of the time t it travels.

4. The heat H produced by an electric lamp varies jointly as the resistance R and
the square of the current C.

5. The kinetic energy E of a moving object varies jointly as the mass m of the object
and the square of the velocity v.

B. Solve the following

1. If r varies directly as s and inversely as the square of u, then r = 2 when

20
 s = 18 and u = 2. Find:

a. r when u = 3 and s = 27.

b. s when u = 2 and r = 4
c. u when r = 1 and s = 36

2. p varies directly as q and the square of r and inversely as s.

a. write the equation of the relation

b. find k when p = 40, q = 5, r = 4 and s = 6
c. find p when q = 8, r = 6 and s = 9
d. find s when p = 10, q = 5 and r = 2.

3. w varies directly as xy and inversely as v2 and w = 1200 when x = 4, y = 9 and v =

6. Find w when x = 3, y = 12 and v = 9.

3
4. Suppose p varies directly as b 2 and inversely as s 3 . If p when b 6 and
4
s 2 , find b when p 6 and s 4 .

Let s summarize

Definition:

Joint Variation:

The statement a varies jointly as b and c means

a
a kbc , or k , where k is the constant of variation.
bc

Combined Variation:

The statement t varies directly as x and inversely as y

kx ty
means t , or k , where k is the constant of variation.
y x

21
 What have you learned

A. The following are formulas and equations which are frequently used in mathematics and
in science. State whether the relationship is considered direct, inverse, joint or combined
variation.

____________________1. C = 2
____________________2. A = lw
____________________3. D = rt
____________________4. I = prt
____________________5. V = lwh
____________________6. A = r2
____________________7. V = r2
____________________8. E = mc2
____________________9. F = ma
___________________10. V = 2r
T
1 2
_____________________11. K = mv
2
_____________________12. P = F
A
_____________________13. W = Fd
_____________________14. V = IR
_____________________15. Q = mct

B. For each given equation with k as the constant of variation and solve for the unknown
value. Choose the letter of the correct value of the unknown.

1. w varies inversely as z and w is 4 when z is 6. what is z when w is 14?

a. 12/7 b. 11/7 c. 10/7 d. none of these

2. x varies jointly as y and z. x is 4 when y is 3 and z is 2. What is z if x is 8 and y is

10?
a. 5/6 b. 6/5 c. 6 d. 5

3. m varies directly as n but inversely as p. What is n if m is 16 and p is 18?

a. 284 b. 286 c. 288 d. 290

4. p varies inversely as q and r, and p = 2/3 when q is 4 and r is 14. What is q when p is
6 and r is 10?
a. 45/28 b. 40/25 c. 42/25 d. 28/45

5. F varies directly as g and inversely as the square root of the product of I and h, and

22
F = 5 when g = 7.5, I = 2 and h = 18. What is F when g = 4, I = and h = 16?
a. 8 b. 16 c. 18 d. none of these

6. W varies directly as u2 and v, and W is 75 when u is 5 and v is 9. What is v when W is

150 and u is 10?
a. 4 b. 4.5 c. 5 d. none of these

7. S varies directly as t and inversely as u2, and S is 9 when t is 4 and u is 12. What is t
when u is 8 and S is 16?
a. 3.1 b. 1.16 c. 3.16 d. none of these

8. y varies directly as w2 and inversely as the cube of x. What is y when w is 3 and

x is 2?
a. 8/9 b. 9 c. 8 d. 9/8

9. P varies as the product r and inversely as the square of t. What is t when P = 2,

r = 33?

33
a. b. 33/2 c. 11/2 d. none of these
2

10. y varies directly as x, and y = 6 when x = . What is x if y = 12?

a. 3 b. 1 c. 2 d. 0

23
 Answer Key
How much do you know

A.
1. A = kba or A = kab V = ke3
2. V = kba or V = kab 7. F = kw
3. A = kr2 k
8. h =
km 2 r2
4. U
n kr
9. m
4. V = klwh s
10. Q = kRT
Try this out

Lesson 1

A. 1. P = kqr 6. A = kab
2. V = klwh 7. V = kab
3. A = kbh 1
8. A = bh
4. V = khr2 2

5. H = krc 2 9. s = kwd
10. A = kd1d2

31
B. 1. Z kxy , k 6. k 5 , d 0.08
15
a. 115.7 3
b. 8.71 7. x kwy , k or 0.3, x 54
10
c. 9.92

1 8. z kxy , k 5 , y 8
2. k , z 3.6
15 1 1 2
9. a. k , W ld
1 9 9
3. z k xy , k , x 18
2 b. l 22.5 cm
c. 5.6 kg
3
4. k , g 1.8
14 10. k 0.025 , 38.4 liters
5. k 50 , q 0.8

24
C. What did the pig say when the man grabbed him by the tail?

T H I S I S
50 5/4 30 16/3 8 12
T H E E N D
48 4/3 3 5/2 3/2 18
O F M E
192 21 4 40

Lesson 2

A.
ka 2c
1. W
b
kl
2. R
d2
3. A = kd
t2
4. H kRC 2
5. E = kmv2

B.
ks 4 3. k = 1200
1. r 2 ,
k
1
u 9 w 133
a. r = 4/3 3
b. s = 36
d. u = 4 1
4. k
6
kqr 2 b = 48
2. a. P
s
b. k = 3
c. P = 96
d. s = 6

25
What have you learned

A. B.
1. direct 1. a
2. joint 2. b
3. joint 3.c
4. joint 4. d
5. joint 5. a
6. direct 6. b
7. direct 7. c
8. joint 8. d
9. joint 9. a
10. combined 10. b
11. joint
12. combined
13. joint
14. joint
15. joint

Example 5. If the volume of a mass of gas at given temperature is 56 in 3 when

the pressure is 18 lb/in2, use Boyles law to find the volume when the
pressure is 16 lb/in2

Solution: Boyles law states that V = k/P or PV = k, meaning that PV is a constant.

a) without finding k, you may write

P1V1 = P 2V2

where P1 = 18 lb/in2, V1 =, 56 in3, P2= 16lb/in2, V2 = ?

Substituting (56)(18) = (16) V2

V2 = 56(18)
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V2 = 63 in 3

Example 8. The load which can be safely put on a beam with a rectangular cross
section that is supported at each end varies jointly as the product of the width and
the square of the depth and inversely as the length of the beam between supports.
If the safe load of a beam 3 in wide and 6 in deep with supports 8 ft apart is 2700 lb,

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find the safe load of a beam of the same material that is 4 in wide and 10 deep with
supports 12 ft apart.

Solution: let w = width of beam, in inches

d = depth of beam, in inches
l = length between supports, in feet
L = safe load, in pounds

then L = kwd2
l
According to the first set of data ,when w = 3, d= 6 and l = 8, then
L = 2700, therefore

2700 = k (3) (62)

8

k = 8(2700) = __8(2700)__
3(62) 108

k = 200

Consequently, if w = 4, d = 10, l= 12 and k = 200, you have

L = 200(4)(102)
12

L = 6666 2/3

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