Linear Functions and Equations Lesson #9: Partial Variation 443

Assignment
1. A partial variation is given by y = 5x + 2. Calculate
a) y when x = 35 b ) y when x = 5.5 c) x when y = 26 d ) x when y = 5.5

2. y varies partially as x. When x = 0, y = 24 and when x = 4, y = 34.

a) The equation relating x and y is of the form y = kx + b.
Determine the values of k and b.

b ) State the constant of variation and calculate the value of y when x = 8.

3. Complete the tables if y varies partially with x. State the constant of variation.

x 0 2 7 x 0 6 10 34
a) b)
y 9 21 75 y 32 34 40

4. The graph of a partial variation passes through the points (4, 7) and (11, 28).
Determine the equation of the partial variation.

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444 Linear Functions and Equations Lesson #9: Partial Variation

5. We have met the following scenarios in previous lessons.

a) “Triple A Car Rental charges $100 per rental plus10¢ per km.”
Write a partial variation equation for the total cost, T dollars, of renting a car
where nkm are travelled.

b ) “Student Council is planning a school dance and sells tickets at $5 per student.
The expenses for the dance are $800.”
Write a partial variation equation for the profit, P dollars, realized if ntickets are sold.

c) Consider the vertical intercepts of the graphs of the partial variation equations
in a) and b). With reference to the scenarios, explain why one graph has a positive
intercept and the other has a negative intercept.

6. The cost of renting a piece of farm machinery is partly constant and varies partly with
the number of hours for which it is rented. A 12 hour rental costs $660 and a 30 hour
rental costs $1290.
a) On a grid plot ordered pairs
for the above scenario.

b ) Determine a partial variation equation for the total cost, C dollars, of renting
the machinery for nhours.

c) How much is the i) fixed rental charge ii) hourly rental charge?

d ) If the rental cost was $800, for how long was the equipment rented?

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 Linear Functions and Equations Lesson #9: Partial Variation 445

7. Jaime works in a shoe store. He earns 8% commission on all his sales and he is paid
$6.60 per hour for every hour he works. He is employed to work 35 hours in a week.
a) Determine the partial variation equation for the amount of money he earns in a week.

b ) How much would he earn in a week in which his sales were $4560?

c) What would his weekly sales have to be for him to earn $1000 in a week?

d ) During the course of the last year Jaime’s average sales have been $4200 per week.
The manager of the store offers him an alternative wage structure of $4 per hour
plus 12% commission. Should Jaime accept the new wage structure? Explain.

8. The total cost, C dollars, of producing a school magazine depends on a fixed production
cost of $950 and a variable cost of 65 cents per copy. The school council are doing some
calculations before deciding on the selling price per magazine. Any profit made is to be
donated to charity.
a) Write a partial variation equation for the total cost of producing nmagazines.

b ) If 800 magazines are produced and sold, suggest a selling price per magazine which
would result in at least $2500 dollars being donated to charity.

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 446 Linear Functions and Equations Lesson #9: Partial Variation

Multiple 9. y varies partially as x. When x = 4, y = 40 and when x = 0, y = 20. The constant of

Choice variation is
A. 20
B. 10
C. 5
D. 0.2

10. The graph which represents a partial variation is

A. B. C. D.

Extension Questions.
11. Express each of the following as an equation using k as the constant of variation.
a) L varies as the cube root of S

b ) P varies inversely as V.
c) T varies as D and inversely as S.
d ) W varies jointly as L and the square of d.

12. The speed, S, at which a car tyre is liable to aquaplane varies directly as the square root
of the tyre pressure P.
a) Determine an equation connecting S and P if S = 84 when P = 36.

b ) Calculate the value of S when P = 25.

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 Linear Functions and Equations Lesson #9: Partial Variation 447

13. For square prisms of fixed volume, the height, hcm, varies inversely as the square of the
length of the side, s cm.
a) If h= 36 when s = 2, find a formula connecting hand s.

b ) Calculate the height of the prism if the length of the side is 9 cm.

c) Calculate the length of the side if the prism has a height of 9 cm.

14. The conductance, G, of a solution varies directly as the cross-sectional area, A and
inversely as the length, L.
a) Calculate the constant of variation if G = 1.6 when A = 2 and L = 3.

b ) Calculate G when A = 3 and L = 4.

15. qvaries inversely as the square root of p. If q= 8 when p= 4 then when p= 1,

the value of q is
A. 128
B. 16
C. 4
D. 0.5

16. y varies as the square of x. When x = 2−2, y = 2. When x = 2, y equals

A. 2−4
B. 2−2
C. 24
D. 27
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448 Linear Functions and Equations Lesson #9: Partial Variation

17. z varies as the square of x and inversely as y. When x = 3 and y = 4, z is 18.

The value of z when x = 1 and y = 1 is
1
A.
2
B. 2
C. 8
D. 24

18. pvaries inversely as the square of q. When q= 8, p= 2. The value of pwhen q= 2 is

A. 4 2
B. 8 2
C. 32
D. 64

Answer Key
1 . a) 177 b) 29.5 c) 4.8 d) 0.7
5 5
2 . a) k = , b = 24 b ) constant of variation = , y = 44
2 2
1
3 . a) see table below, constant of variation = 6 b ) see table below, constant of variation =
2

4 . y = 3x − 5

5 . a) T = 0.1n+ 100 b ) P = 5n− 800

c ) In a) vertical intercept = 100.
This is positive since there is a fixed charge of $100, which does not depend on
the number of km travelled.
In b) vertical intercept = –800.
This is negative since there is a loss of $800 if no tickets are sold.

6 . b ) C = 35n+ 240 c ) i) $240 ii) $35 d) 16 hours

7 . a) A = 0.08s + 231 b ) $595.80 c ) $9612.50

d) present wage structure $567, new wage structure $644. He should accept the new wage structure.

8 . a) C = 0.65n+ 950 b ) about $5 9. C 10. B

k kD
1 1 . a) L = k 3 S b) P = c) T = d) W = kLd2
V S
144 16
1 2 . a) S = 14 P b ) 70 1 3 . a) h= b) cm c ) 4 cm
s2 9
1 4 . a) 2.4 b ) 1.8 15. B 16. D 17. C 18. C
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