F
∝
a
If
F
=
72
when
a
=
9
find,
a
when
F
=
56
Answers
Answer:
Example 1 – If x varies inverse as y, and x = 7 when y = 3, find y when x = 9.
Step 1: Write the correct equation. Inverse variation problems are solved using the equation .
Step 2: Use the information given in the problem to find the value of k. In this case, you need to find k when x = 7 and y = 3.
Step 3: Rewrite the equation from step 1 substituting in the value of k found in step 2.
Step 4: Use the equation found in step 3 and the remaining information given in the problem to answer the question asked. In this case, you need to find y when x = 9.
Example 2 – If r varies directly as the cube of s, and r = 5 when s = 3, find r when s = 2.
Step 1: Write the correct equation. Inverse variation problems are solved using the equation . In this case, you should use r and s instead of x and y and notice how the word “cube” changes the equation.
Step 2: Use the information given in the problem to find the value of k. In this case, you need to find k when r = 5 and s = 3.
Step 3: Rewrite the equation from step 1 substituting in the value of k found in step 2.
Step 4: Use the equation found in step 3 and the remaining information given in the problem to answer the question asked. In this case, you need to find r when s = 2.