Lesson 2

Inverse Variation

In direct variation, you learned that an increase in one quantity causes a corresponding
increase in another quantity, or a decrease in one quantity causes a corresponding decrease in
another quantity just like an increase of an employee’s salary causes an increase in the
number of days he works. However, there are cases in which two quantities are related in
such a way that, if one quantity increases, the other quantity decreases. An example of this
case is an increase in the number of people working will result to a decrease in the number of
days to finish certain job. This situation is an example of another type of variation which is
called Inverse Variation.

Definition of Inverse Variation

Inverse Variation is a relation which can be described by an equation of the form

k
y or xy=k, where k is a nonzero constant called the
x
constant of proportionality or constant of variation.
k
The equation y  can be translated as
x
“y varies inversely as x “ or
“y is inversely proportional to x.
For the two quantities x and y, an increase in x causes a decrease in y, or a decrease in x
causes an increase in y. Also, the product of the two quantities x and y is constant.

Now, Let us see how we can apply the concept of inverse variation not only in
transforming statements into mathematical sentences, but also in solving problems. So, at this
point in time, study the examples below:
1. Translate the statement ‘N varies inversely as M” into a mathematical sentence.
Solution: If you look at the statement, the two quantities involved are N and M.
Also, the type of variation used is inverse variation because of the presence of
the phrase “ varies inversely”. Since it is inverse, you simply use the form of

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 k
the equation y  , where k is a constant of variation. Then,
x
k
substitute y by N, and x by M. So, your answer will be N  .
M
2. Transform the statement “The acceleration (A) of a car is inversely proportional to its
mass (m)” into a mathematical sentence .
Solution: This is similar to problem 1. The two quantities involved are A and
(m). Also, the type of variation used is inverse variation because of the
presence of the phrase “ inversely proportional”. Since it is inverse, use
k
the form: y  , where k is a constant of variation. Then, substitute y by A,
x
k
and x by m. So, your answer will be A  .
m
3. Y is inversely proportional to Z. Find the constant of variation if Y = 30 when E = 5.
Solution: This problem is an inverse variation and you are asked to find is
the constant of variation which is the value of k. Use the formula for k,
k = xy,. Now, the variables involved are Y and Z, so your k is equal to YZ or
k = YZ. Substituting the values of Y and Z, we have:
k = YZ
k = (30) ( 5)
k = 150
So, the constant of variation is 150.
4. If y varies inversely as x and y = 4 when x = 3, find y when x = 12.
Solution: This is an inverse variation problem as it contains the phrase “varies
k
inversely”. So, you have to use the form y  . What you are going to
x
find is the value of y. This problem can be solved in two ways:

First Method:

To get the value of y, you need to follow these steps. First, Get the form of the
equation. Second, solve the value of k using the phrase “y = 4 when x = 3”. Third,
get the variation equation, and the last, substitute the value of x in the variation
equation and simplify.

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 k
a. The form of the equation is y 
x
b. Solve for k
You may use the formula k = x y
k=xy
k = (4) ( 3) substitute the values of y= 4 and x = 3.
k = 12

So, the constant of variation is 12.

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c. the variation equation is y or x y = 12
x
d. Substitute the value of x ( find y when x = 12) using variation
12
equation, y ,
x
12
y substitute the value of x
12
y=1

Therefore, the value of y is 1.

Second Method:

k
This is an inverse variation. So, we have to use the form y 
x
or k = x y. Using k = x y, and writing the given quantities as pairs of numbers,
we have, (3, 4) and ( 12, y). Note that (3, 4) is taken from the sentence:
y = 4 when x = 3), while ( 12, y) is taken from the statement: find y when x = 12.
Note that the product of the two numbers in each pair is constant or equal, So, we
have,
(3) 4) = (12) ( y)

12 = 12 y

Dividing both sides by 12, the result is

12 12 ( y )
=
12 12

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 y=1

Therefore, the value of y is 1.

5. The number of people (P) working on a certain the job varies inversely as the time (T)
required to do the job. If 4 men can do a portion of a job in 12 days, how many men can do
the same job in 6 days?
Solution: You can solve this problem in two ways.
First Method: Follow these steps:
a. Express the statement as an equation using the variables.
This is an inverse variation problem, so use the equation
k
P= where P is the number of people, T is the time required
T
b. Solve for k. you can use the formula k = PT.
k = PT
k = (4)(12) from the first pair:(4 men can do a
portion of a job in 12 days
k = 48
k
c. Replace k by its value in step b using the equation in step 1: P =
T
48
P=
T
d. Solve the value of P when T = 6
48
P=
6
P=8
Therefore, the number of people needed is 8.
k
Second Method: This is an inverse variation. So, we have to use the form y 
x
or k = x y. Writing the given quantities as pairs of numbers, we have, (4, 12) and
( x , 6). Note that (4, 12) is taken from the sentence: (4 men can do a portion of a
job in 12 days), while ( x, 6) is taken from the statement (how many men can do the
same job in 6 days by letting the number of men as x). Using k = x y, the product of
the two numbers in each pair is constant or equal,
we have,

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 (4, 12) = ( x , 6).
(4) ( 12) = (x) (6)
48 = 6 (x)
48
x
6
x=8
Therefore, the number of men required is 8 days.

Let’s Do This
A. Write an equation that represents the relationship between the given variables.
Use k as the constant of variation.
1. x varies inversely as y.
2. y is inversely proportional to x.
3. The pressure (p) varies inversely as the area (A) over
which it is applied.
4. The safe load(S) of a beam supported at both ends varies
inversely as its (L) length.
5. The volume V of a gas varies inversely as its pressure P.
B. E is inversely proportional to B. Find the constant of variation if E = 4
when B = 6.
C. If y varies inversely as x and y = 40 when x = 2, find y when x = 8.
D. If x is inversely proportional to y and x = 8 when y = 7, find x when y = -4.
E. If 6 men can do a portion of a job in 10 days, how many men can do the
same job in 3 days?
F. The time required to pick up the trash along a stretch of highway varies
inversely as the number of volunteers who are working. If 12 volunteers
can do the cleanup in 4 hr, how many volunteers are needed to complete
the cleanup in 1.5 hr?
G. The male manager of a lumber store schedules 6 employees to take in an
8-hour work period. He assumes all employees work at the same time. If
he calls in and says he needs the inventory finished in 6 hours, how many
employees should he assign to take the inventory?

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 Let’s Remember This

In an inverse variation statement, you encounter the following phrases: “varies

inversely and inversely proportional”. You have then to use the form of the
equation

k
y .
x

When you solve a problem, you have to follow these steps:

1. Write the equation of variation.

2. Substitute the given values and solve for k.
3. Replace k in the equation in step 1 by the value obtained in
step 2
4. Solve for the desired value.

Let’s Test Ourselves

1. Which of the following equations represents the statement ‘the number of pechay plants
(n) varies inversely as the space (s) between them”?
𝑘 𝑘
a. s = 𝑛 b. n = 𝑠 c. n = ks d. s = kd

2. X is inversely proportional to Y. Find the constant of variation if X = 18 when Y = 2.

1
a. b. 6 c. 9 d. 36
9

3. If y varies inversely as x and y = 8 when x = 3, find y when x = 12.

1 1
a. 24 b. 2 c. 2 d. 4

4. The number of people working on a certain the job varies inversely as the time required to
do the job. If 20 men can do a portion of a job in 3 days, how many men can do the
same job in 10 days?
a. 12 b. 7 c. 6 d. 4

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5. If W is inversely proportional to T and W = 8 when T = 5, find W when T = 10.

6. At 40 kilometers per hour, it takes Laarni 4 hours to travel from her house to their house
in the province. How long will it take her if she travels at the rate of 80 kilometers an
hour?

Answer Key
Let’s Do This
k
A. 1. x  B. k = 24 G. 8
y

k
2. y  C. y =10
x
k
3. P  D. x = -14
A
k
4 S E. 20
L
k
5. V  F. 32
P

Let’s Test Ourselves

1. b
2. d
3. c
4. c
5. W = 4
6. 2 hrs

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