SOLUTION: It is a variation function problem, I just couldn't find the best topic. Here is the problem. I know what the answer is and how to get to the answer I just don't know how I got

Question 438765: It is a variation function problem, I just couldn't find the best topic.
Here is the problem. I know what the answer is and how to get to the answer I just don't know how I got it.
From measurements on many rivers, geographers find that the length of a river that drains a particular "basin" of land is approximately proportional to the 0.6 power of the area of the basin. The Rio Grande is 3034 kilometers long, and drains a basin of about 500,000 square kilometers.
To get the particular equation expressing river length in terms of basin area, I know that the equation is going to be y=k*x^0.6 -> 3034=500000^0.6*k which results with y=1.16*x^0.6.
But why does y have to be 3034? I thought y had to be the dependent variable, and I thought the basin depended on how long the river is, not vice versa.
Also, if the river in the world is the 6700 kilometer Nile, approximatley what area of land does the Nile drain? (still the same question)
I think it is a logs question but how would you solve it?
Thank you!!!!!!! You will be my life-saver ! :D
Answer by robertb(5830) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
, where y = length of river and x = area of the basin.
==>
==> , to 4 decimal places.
==>
==> for the Nile River 6700 km long,

==>
==> = 1,872,414.726 square kilometers of basin is drained.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Bill took part in a quiz. There were three types of questions. Question type and (answered by FrankM)

I think this is the best place to put this problem- in the book it's under "Variation and (answered by texttutoring)

This is driving me crazy. I finally solved my problem, but I can�t figure out why my... (answered by kensson,MathTherapy)

Just not getting this. Suppose cos t = -0.4 and csc t < 0 . Find each of the following (answered by lwsshak3)

Hi, earlier I posted my math problem but I couldn�t figure out how to upload the image so (answered by greenestamps)

"Tell whether this equation represents a direct variation. If so, identify the constant... (answered by rothauserc)

I don't know if is the right topic. the problem just says to solve. ((( x=2 sqrt... (answered by Edwin McCravy)

I am having issues figuring out the inverse variation. Here is the problem Suppose z (answered by RAY100,jim_thompson5910)

Sorry, tried to put the shape in, couldn�t work, only let print the words. The star... (answered by solver91311)