Question

Find the variation constant and an equation of the variation where y varies inversely as x and y=2 when x=20.

Answer 1

division is inversion here:

y = k/x

2 = k/20

k = 40

y = 40/x

Answer 2

I am confused what the variation constant is .

Answer 3

the constant of variation is the term that is introduce into the equation to provide some sense of stability to it.

In this instance; that constant = 40; how else can we establish the relation between x and y?

Answer 4

Thank you very much

Answer 5

x and y are parallel ?

Answer 6

As y increases; x has to decrease; its in inverted relationship;

The only way to do that in math is to either subtract of divide; and this implies division :)

y = k/x establishes the relationship

we know that when y = 2; x=20, we need another term in the equation to make that statment true; that term is the constant of variation :)

Answer 7

note to self - never do algebra with an online school, :) Thanks again

Answer 8

when x = 1; y = 40
when x = 2; y = 20
when x = 4; y = 10

you notice here that since k=40, we have increasing x values and decreasing y values; they have an inverse relationship now :)

Yeah, online school might sound convenient at times, but I tried it once and dint like it

Answer 9

I think i get it, so when x goes up y goes down ... like a pulley so y=60 would be x=1 if x=6 when y=10?

Answer 10

to use the equation we determined:

y = 40/x

if y = 60; then x = 60/40 = 6/4 = 3/2

Answer 11

but yes; like a pulley :)