Question 79102
Ok, i'm working with inverse variations. I have to find out the constant of variation by looking at two points. An example of one of the problems is like this: "(4,1) The point is from a model for inverse variation. Find the constant of variation." How do you find the constant of variation, or more importantly, what do all these terms mean?
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You are being told that y varies inversely as x; that means y decreases
as x increases.
The constant of variation is a constant that effects the amount of variation
between x and y.
Formula: y=k/x
k is the constant of variation.
Your Problem:
y=1 when x=4
So, 1=k/4
k=4 (that is the constant on variation)
Equation:
y=4/x (this implies that yx=4; since the product is always 4, if
y increases x must decreas; can you see that?)
Cheers,
Stan H.