xy = –12. What is the constant of variation for this relationship?

Question

xy = –12.  What is the constant of variation for this relationship?

whpalmer4 · Answer

Here's a hint: you have inverse variation, which can be expressed as $$xy = k$$where $k$ is the constant of variation.  It can also be expressed as $$y = \frac{k}{x}$$or $$x=\frac{k}{y}$$

What do you think the constant of variation is in this equation?

whpalmer4 · Answer

This is possibly the easiest problem you'll ever do :-)

anonymous · Answer

i dont know

anonymous · Answer

is it -12?

ipwnbunnies · Answer

Yes.

whpalmer4 · Answer

Yes, -12 is the constant of variation.  When someone says $xy = k$, where $k$ is the constant of variation, and your problem is $$xy = -12,\text{ what is the constant of variation?}$$it really shouldn't be too much of a stretch to arrive at the correct answer...

anonymous · Answer

Wow, this makes way more sense! Thanks. :)