Inverse Variation

What is it and how do I know when I see it?

 Inverse Variation
When we talk about an inverse
variation, we are talking about
a relationship where as

x increases, y decreases
or x decreases, y increases at

a CONSTANT RATE.
Definition:
An inverse variation involving x and y is
a function in which the product of xy is a
nonzero constant.
Another way of writing this is k = xy

k is the constant of variation

Definition:
y varies inversely as x means that
k
y=
x
where k is the constant of variation.


 Examples of Inverse Variation:
Note:
X increases,
and Y decreases.

What is the constant of variation of the table above?

k
Since y = we can say k = xy Therefore:
x
(-2)(-18)=k or k = 36 (72)(0.5)=k or k = 36 xy = 36 or
(4)(9)=k or k =36 Note k stays constant. y = 36
x

 Examples of Inverse Variation:
Note:
X increases,
and Y decreases.

What is the constant of variation of the table above?

k
Since y = we can say k = xy Therefore:
x xy = 64 or
(4)(16)=k or k = 64 (-2)(-32)=k or k = 64 64
y=
(-2)(-32)=k or k =64 Note k stays constant. x

Is this an inverse variation? If yes, give the
constant of variation (k) and the equation.

Yes!
k = -2(-4) or 8
k = 4(2) or 8
k = 8(1) or 8
k = 16(0.5) or 8
Equation?
xy = 8 or
8
y=
x
Is this an inverse variation? If yes, give the
constant of variation (k) and the equation.

NO!
The constant
of variation
cannot be 0!
Is this an inverse variation? If yes, give the
constant of variation (k) and the equation.

Yes!
k = 2/3(27) or 18
k = 2(9) or 18
k = -3(-6) or 18
k = 9(2) or 18
Equation?
xy = 18 or
18
y=
x
 Using Inverse Variation

When x is 2 and y is 4, find an equation that

shows x and y vary inversely.

2 step process
1st Find the constant variation 2nd Use xy = k.
k = xy xy = 8

k = 2(4) OR
y= 8
k=8 x
 Using Inverse Variation

When x is 3 and y is 12, find an equation that

shows x and y vary inversely.

2 step process
1st Find the constant variation 2nd Use xy = k.
k = xy xy = 36

k = 3(12) OR
y = 36
k = 36 x
 Using Inverse Variation to find Unknowns
Given that y varies inversely with x and y = -30 when
x=-3. Find y when x = 8. HOW???

2 step process

1. Find the constant variation.

k = xy or k = -3(-30)
k = 90
2. Use k = xy. Find the unknown (y).
Therefore:
90 = xy so 90= 8y
x = 8 when y=11.25
y= 11.25
 Using Inverse Variation to find Unknowns
Given that y varies inversely with x and y = 20 when
x=4. Find y when x = 10. HOW???

2 step process

1. Find the constant variation.

k = xy or k = 4(20)
k = 80
2. Use k = xy. Find the unknown (y).
Therefore:
80=xy so 80= 10y
x = 10 when y=8
y= 8
Using Inverse Variation to solve word problems

Problem:
The time t that it takes a plane to reach a certain
destination varies inversely as the average speed
s of the plane. It took this plane 5 hours to reach
the given destination when it traveled at an
average speed of 150 mi/hr. What was the
average speed of the plane if it took 4 hours to
reach the same destination?
 Write the equation that relates
the variables then solve.

Problem:
t(time) varies inversely as s(speed)
The time t that it takes a plane to so
reach a certain destination varies Time is the y variable
inversely as the average speed s and
of the plane. It took this plane 5 Speed is the x variable
hours to reach the given
destination when it traveled at an K = xy
average speed of 150 mi/hr. What K = 150(5)
was the average speed of the plane K = 750
if it took 4 hours to reach the same
destination? The equation is 750 = xy

Now substitute
750 = x(4)
The average speed of the plane
x = 187.5
to reach the destination in 4
hours was 187.5 mi/hr.
 Set up a proportion.

Problem:
x 1 x2
The time t that it takes a plane to
reach a certain destination varies 
inversely as the average speed s of
the plane. It took this plane 5
hours to reach the given
y2 y1
destination when it traveled at an
average speed of 150 mi/hr. What
150 x
was the average speed of the plane
if it took 4 hours to reach the same 
destination?
4 5
150(5) = 4x
750 = 4x
x = 187.5 mi/hr.
Inverse Variations

The graph make a hyperbola

 What does the graph of xy=k look like?

Let k=5 and graph.

5
f x  = 6
x

-10 -5 5 10

-2

-4

-6
Tell if the following graph is a Inverse Variation or not.

No Yes

No No
Tell if the following graph is a Inverse Variation or not.

Yes No

Yes No