Inverse Variation
Inverse Variation
VARIATION
Learning Objectives:
that when one variable increases, the other variable decreases proportionally.
Given two variables x and y and a constant k, y varies inversely with x if xy
is equal to k. In symbols, , where k is the constant of variation. The constant
of variation is determined by the formula k = xy.
a.
Solution: First, determine some points on the graph and construct the
table of values.
x 2 3 4 6
y 6 4 3 2
x 2 4 6 8
y 9 4.5 3 2.25
xy 18 18 18 18
Observe that the product of any pair of x- and y- values is a constant,
which is 18. Hence, the table of values illustrates an inverse variation
defined by the equation The constant of variation is 18.
c.
Solution:
Observe that the equation is of the form which is the form of the
equation of an inverse variation. From the given equation, the constant of
variation is 30. This means that for any values of x and y, their product is
30. Thus, the equation illustrates an inverse variation.
Activity 1:
x 3 6 9
y
y
Example 2: According to Boyle’s law, the volume V of a gas varies
T = 350(40)
T = 14, 000
The equation becomes . Solve for V when P = 105.
V = 133.22 or 133
The volume of the gas when the pressure is 105 psi is approximately
equal to 133
If a quantity y varies directly with product of two quantities x andz at a
constant rate k, that is, y = kxz, then y varies jointly with x and z. the
constant of variation k is determined by the formula
We say that y varies directly with the product of x and z if the ratio
between y and the product of x and z is constant. Thus, if k is the constant of
variation, then for all the values of the variables x, y, and z. Equivalently, y =
kxz. This is the equation for joint variation.
a 2 3 4 5
b 4 6 8 10
c 4 9 16 25
Solution: Observe from the table of values that the value of c is half the
product of a and b.
5 and z = 8.
Solution:
d. y = kxz
10 = k(5)(8)
10 = 40k
b. The equation that relates x, y, and z is .
18 = 6x
=3
Example 5: The area of a triangle varies jointly with its base and height.
Solution:
a. Because the area of a triangle is determined by half the product of its base
and height, then A =. The constant of variation is .
b. Let x = height of the triangle
Because A =, then
12 =
12 =
24 =
0 = – 24
Since the height of a triangle cannot be
0 = (x + 6)(x – 4)
negative, then x = 4. Therefore, the
height of the triangle is 4 cm and its
x = -6 or x = 4
base is 6 cm.
Assignment No. 1
a. x = 48, y = 4, z = 8
b. x = 47.25, y = 7/2, z = 3
c. x = 240, y = 10, z = 4
d. x = 468, y = 12, z = 6