medal and fan to whoever can answer: y varies inversely with x. Find the constant of the inverse variation equation if x = 3.2 when y = 16. Write your answer as an integer or decimal number.

Question

skullpatrol · Answer

Any ideas?

anonymous · Answer

thats the thing... i have no idea how to do this. I tried, but i just dont understand the concept

skullpatrol · Answer

Ok, the first thing to look for are the words you don't understand.

What does the word "inversely" mean in the phrase "y varies inversely with x"?

anonymous · Answer

opposite, right?

skullpatrol · Answer

In this context it means y = k/x.

anonymous · Answer

okay, but what does k stand for?

skullpatrol · Answer

Where the k is the constant of the inverse variation equation.

anonymous · Answer

okay, so then what?

skullpatrol · Answer

Look for what the question is asking for...

skullpatrol · Answer

y varies inversely with x. Find the constant of the inverse variation equation if x = 3.2 when y = 16.

skullpatrol · Answer

We know the equation has the form y = k/x 

and we are given: "if x = 3.2 when y =16"

Do you have enough info to calculate k?

skullpatrol · Answer

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