Unit 8: Rational Functions

Target 8.1
MODEL DIRECT,
INVERSE, AND
JOINT VARIATION
(8.1)

Direct Variation: y

= ax
a
Inverse Variation: y =
x

a is the constant of variation

Does the equation show direct variation, inverse variation or

neither?

xy = 7

y +3= x

y
=x
4

x and y vary inversely, and y = 7 when x = 4. Write an equation for

this situation.

Use your equation to nd y when x = -2.

The amount of songs that an MP3 player can hold varies inversely
with the average le size of the songs. It can hold 2500 songs
with an average le size of 4 MB. Write an equation for this
situation.

Predict how many songs the MP3 player will hold if the
average le size is 5.5 MB.

You can check for direct variation by dividing y / x. If your

answers are constant (or at least close), the data shows direct
variation.
You can check for inverse variation by multiplying xy. If your
answers are constant (or at least close), the data shows inverse
variation.
Does the table show direct or inverse variation?
x
y

2
60

5
24

8
15

15
8

x
y

4
-8

5
-10

6
-12

7
-14

8
-16

Great white sharks have triangular teeth. The table below gives the
length of a side of a tooth and the body length for each of six great
white sharks. Tell whether tooth length and body length show
direct variation. If so, write an equation that relates the quantities.
Tooth length, t (cm)

1.8

2.4

2.9

3.6

4.7

5.8

Body length, b (cm)

215

290

350

430

565

695

Joint variation occurs when one amount varies directly with the
product of two or more amounts.

y = axz

y varies jointly with x and z

z varies jointly with x and y. z = -75 when x = 3 and y = -5. Write

an equation for this situation.

Use your equation to nd z when x = 10 and y = -1.

Translate into an equation. Dont forget to include the constant

of variation, a!
y varies inversely with x
z varies jointly with x, y and r
y varies inversely with the square of x
z varies directly with y and inversely with x
x varies jointly with t and r and inversely with the square of s