SOLUTION: The electrical resistance of a wire varies directly with its length (L) and varies inversely with the square of its diameter (D). If a certain wire is 6.25" long and has a diameter

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Question 1158658: The electrical resistance of a wire varies directly with its length (L) and varies inversely with the square of its diameter (D). If a certain wire is 6.25" long and has a diameter of .25", it has a resistance of 25 ohms. What is the resistance in ohms of a similar wire 40" long and with a diameter of .4 inches?
Found 2 solutions by Theo, josmiceli:
Answer by Theo(13342) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
direct and inverse variation formula is z = k * x / y.
here's a reference you might find useful.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/ivytech-collegealgebra/chapter/solve-problems-involving-joint-variation/

your problem is:
The electrical resistance of a wire varies directly with its length (L) and varies inversely with the square of its diameter (D). If a certain wire is 6.25" long and has a diameter of .25", it has a resistance of 25 ohms. What is the resistance in ohms of a similar wire 40" long and with a diameter of .4 inches?
let R = the electrical resistance of the wire.
let L equal its length.
let D equal its diameter.
the formula becomes R = k * L / D^2
when L = 6.25 inches and D = .25 inches, it has a resistance of 25 ohms,.
the formula becomes:
25 = k * 6.25 / .25^2
solve for k to get:
k = 25 * .25^2 / 6.25 = .25
k is the constant of variation.
it stays the same regardless of the values of R and L and D in the same formula.
you want to know what is the resistance when L = 40 inches and D = .4 inches.
the formula is still:
R = k * L / D^2
since k = .25 and L = 40 and D = .4, the formula becomes:
R = .25 * 40 / .4^2
solve for R to get:
R = 62.5 ohms.





Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +R+ = resistance in ohms
Let +k+ = constant of proportionality
----------------
+R+=+k%2A%28+L%2FD%5E2+%29+
+R+=+25+ ohms
+L+=+6.25+ in
+D+=+.25+ in
----------------------
+25+=+k%2A%28+6.25+%2F+.25%5E2+%29+
+25+=+k%2A%28+6.25+%2F+.0625+%29+
+25+=+k+%2A+100+
+k+=+.25+
-----------------
+L+=+40+
+D+=+.4+
+R+=+k%2A%28+L%2FD%5E2+%29+
+R+=+.25%2A%28+40%2F.4%5E2+%29+
+R+=+.25%2A%28+40%2F.16+%29+
+R+=+.25%2A250+
+R+=+62.5++ ohms
--------------------------
check my math & get a 2nd
opinion if needed