Topic 4.

2 Inverse Variation
Inverse Linear Variation
If two variables are related such as that an increase in one produces a proportional decrease in the other,
then the variables are said to vary inversely.
If y varies inversely as x, then y = k/x.
We can also say y is inversely proportional to x with k = xy.
EXERCISE 4.2
A. Express the following statements as equation of variation using k as constant.
____________ 1. The variable m varies inversely as the variable n.
____________ 2. The number of days, d, of work varies inversely as the number of workers, w.
____________ 3. The volume V of gas at fixed temperature varies inversely as the pressure P.
____________ 4. The pitch p of a tone varies inversely as the wavelength, w, of the tone.
____________ 5. The pressure, P, of the aur pumped into a balloon varies inversely as the volume V.

B. Which of the following tables show inverse variations of the given variables? For those that show inverse
variations, find the constant or proportionality and the equation of variation.
____________ 1.
x 1 2 3 4
y 15 7.5 5 3.75

____________ 2.
x 1 3 5 7
y 12 8 5 4

____________ 3.
m -2 -1 1 2
n -6 -12 12 6

____________ 4.
t 2 4 6 8
r 264 132 88 66

____________ 5.
t 4 7 9 11
r 8¾ 5 3 8/9 3 2/11

C. Do as indicated.
____________ 1. y varies inversely as x and y = 9,when x = 8, find y when x = 12.
____________ 2. y varies inversely as x and y = 8, when x = 8, find x when y = 9.
____________ 3. m is inversely proportional to n and m = 3/2 when n = 18, find m when n = 54.
____________ 4. S is inversely proportional to t. If S = 50 when t = 4, find S when t = 0.5
____________ 5. V varies inversely as s and V = 1/35 when s = 14, find V when s = 16.
____________ 6. x varies inversely as y, when x = -6 when y = 4/3, find the constant of the equation.
D. Answer the following (Attach a separate paper if needed)
____________ 1. Eight men can finish a job in 15 days. In how many days can 12 men finish the same job?
____________ 2. The frequency of an electromagnetic wave varies inversely as the wavelength. If the
wavelength of 259 meters ahs a frequency of 649 kilocycle per second, what frequency will be associated with
the wavelength of 800 meters?
____________ 3. The time to complete a project varies inversely as the number of employees. If 7 people can
complete a project in 10 days, how long would it take 15 people to finish the same project?
____________ 4. Suppose 4 people can paint a house in 3 days. How long would it take 5 people to paint the
same house?
____________ 5. The distance at which one should sit from the support seesaw is inversely proportional to his
weight. If a boy who weights 45 kilograms sits 2 meters from the support, how far from the support should a 36
kilogram boy sit for him to balance?

SCHOOLWORK TIME
Answer the following with at least 3 sentences.
1. What is the difference between direct and inverse variation?
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2. Give some real-life situations that uses inverse variations.
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