7.

1 Inverse Variation
Essential Question How can you recognize when two quantities
vary directly or inversely?

Recognizing Direct Variation

Work with a partner. You hang different weights from the same spring.

equilibrium

REASONING 0 kg
QUANTITATIVELY
To be proficient in math, 0.1 kg

centimeters
you need to make sense
of quantities and their 0.2 kg
relationships in problem
0.3 kg
situations.
a. Describe the
0.4 kg
relationship between the
weight x and the distance d 0.5 kg
the spring stretches from equilibrium.
Explain why the distance is said to vary 0.6 kg
directly with the weight.
b. Estimate the values of d from the figure. Then draw a 0.7 kg
scatter plot of the data. What are the characteristics of the graph?
c. Write an equation that represents d as a function of x.
d. In physics, the relationship between d and x is described by Hooke’s Law. How
would you describe Hooke’s Law?

Recognizing Inverse Variation

Work with a partner. The table shows
x y
the length x (in inches) and the width
1 y 64 in.2
y (in inches) of a rectangle. The area of
2 each rectangle is 64 square inches.
4 x
a. Copy and complete the table.
8
b. Describe the relationship between x and y. Explain why y is said to vary inversely
16 with x.
32 c. Draw a scatter plot of the data. What are the characteristics of the graph?
64 d. Write an equation that represents y as a function of x.

Communicate Your Answer

3. How can you recognize when two quantities vary directly or inversely?
4. Does the flapping rate of the wings of a bird vary directly or inversely with the
length of its wings? Explain your reasoning.

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 7.1 Lesson What You Will Learn
Classify direct and inverse variation.
Write inverse variation equations.
Core Vocabul
Vocabulary
larry
inverse variation, p. 360 Classifying Direct and Inverse Variation
constant of variation, p. 360
You have learned that two variables x and y show direct variation when y = ax for
Previous some nonzero constant a. Another type of variation is called inverse variation.
direct variation
ratios
Core Concept
Inverse Variation
Two variables x and y show inverse variation when they are related as follows:
a
y = —, a ≠ 0
x
The constant a is the constant of variation, and y is said to vary inversely with x.

Classifying Equations

Tell whether x and y show direct variation, inverse variation, or neither.

a. xy = 5
b. y = x − 4
y
c. — = x
2
STUDY TIP SOLUTION
The equation in part (b)
does not show direct Given Equation Solved for y Type of Variation
variation because 5
y = x − 4 is not of the a. xy = 5 y=— inverse
x
form y = ax.
b. y = x − 4 y=x−4 neither
y
c. — = x y = 2x direct
2

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at [Link]

Tell whether x and y show direct variation, inverse variation, or neither.

1. 6x = y
2. xy = −0.25
3. y + x = 10

y
The general equation y = ax for direct variation can be rewritten as — = a. So, a set of
x
y
data pairs (x, y) shows direct variation when the ratios — are constant.
x
a
The general equation y = — for inverse variation can be rewritten as xy = a. So,
x
a set of data pairs (x, y) shows inverse variation when the products xy are constant.

360 Chapter 7 Rational Functions

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 Classifying Data

Tell whether x and y show direct variation, inverse variation, or neither.

a. b.
x 2 4 6 8 x 1 2 3 4

y −12 −6 −4 −3 y 2 4 8 16

SOLUTION
y
a. Find the products xy and ratios —.
x

xy −24 −24 −24 −24 The products are constant.

y −12 −6 3 −4 2 3
— — = −6 — = −— — = −— −— The ratios are not constant.
x 2 4 2 6 3 8

So, x and y show inverse variation.

ANALYZING
y
RELATIONSHIPS b. Find the products xy and ratios —.
x
In Example 2(b), notice
in the original table that xy 2 8 24 64 The products are not constant.
as x increases by 1, y is
y 2 4 8 16
multiplied by 2. So, the — —=2 —=2 — —=4 The ratios are not constant.
x 1 2 3 4
data in the table represent
an exponential function.
So, x and y show neither direct nor inverse variation.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at [Link]

Tell whether x and y show direct variation, inverse variation, or neither.

4. 5.
x −4 −3 −2 −1 x 1 2 3 4

y 20 15 10 5 y 60 30 20 15

Writing Inverse Variation Equations

Writing an Inverse Variation Equation

ANOTHER WAY The variables x and y vary inversely, and y = 4 when x = 3. Write an equation that
Because x and y vary relates x and y. Then find y when x = −2.
inversely, you also know
that the products xy are SOLUTION
constant. This product a
equals the constant of y=— Write general equation for inverse variation.
x
variation a. So, you can a
quickly determine that 4=— Substitute 4 for y and 3 for x.
3
a = xy = 3(4) = 12.
12 = a Multiply each side by 3.
12 12
The inverse variation equation is y = —. When x = −2, y = — = −6.
x −2

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 Modeling with Mathematics

The time t (in hours) that it takes a group of volunteers to build a playground varies
inversely with the number n of volunteers. It takes a group of 10 volunteers 8 hours to
build the playground.
• Make a table showing the time that
it would take to build the playground
when the number of volunteers is
15, 20, 25, and 30.
• What happens to the time it takes to
build the playground as the number
of volunteers increases?

SOLUTION
1. Understand the Problem You are given a description of two quantities that vary
inversely and one pair of data values. You are asked to create a table that gives
additional data pairs.
2. Make a Plan Use the time that it takes 10 volunteers to build the playground
LOOKING FOR to find the constant of variation. Then write an inverse variation equation and
substitute for the different numbers of volunteers to find the corresponding times.
A PATTERN
Notice that as the number 3. Solve the Problem
of volunteers increases by a
5, the time decreases by a t=— Write general equation for inverse variation.
n
lesser and lesser amount. a
8=— Substitute 8 for t and 10 for n.
From n = 15 to n = 20, 10
t decreases by 1 hour 80 = a Multiply each side by 10.
20 minutes.
80
From n = 20 to n = 25, The inverse variation equation is t = —. Make a table of values.
t decreases by 48 minutes.
n

From n = 25 to n = 30, n 15 20 25 30
t decreases by 32 minutes.
80 80 80 80
t — = 5 h 20 min —=4h — = 3 h 12 min — = 2 h 40 min
15 20 25 30

As the number of volunteers increases, the time it takes to build the

playground decreases.
4. Look Back Because the time decreases as the number of volunteers increases, the
time for 5 volunteers to build the playground should be greater than 8 hours.
80
t = — = 16 hours
5
✓

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at [Link]

The variables x and y vary inversely. Use the given values to write an equation
relating x and y. Then find y when x = 2.
1
6. x = 4, y = 5 7. x = 6, y = −1 8. x = —2 , y = 16

9. WHAT IF? In Example 4, it takes a group of 10 volunteers 12 hours to build the

playground. How long would it take a group of 15 volunteers?

362 Chapter 7 Rational Functions

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 7.1 Exercises Dynamic Solutions available at [Link]

Vocabulary and Core Concept Check

1. VOCABULARY Explain how direct variation equations and inverse variation equations are different.

2. DIFFERENT WORDS, SAME QUESTION Which is different? Find “both” answers.

What is an inverse variation equation relating x y

What is an equation for which the ratios — are
and y with a = 4? x
constant and a = 4?

What is an equation for which y varies What is an equation for which the products xy
inversely with x and a = 4? are constant and a = 4?

Monitoring Progress and Modeling with Mathematics

In Exercises 3–10, tell whether x and y show direct In Exercises 15–22, the variables x and y vary inversely.
variation, inverse variation, or neither. (See Example 1.) Use the given values to write an equation relating x and
y. Then find y when x = 3. (See Example 3.)
2
3. y = — 4. xy = 12
x 15. x = 5, y = −4 16. x = 1, y = 9
y
5. — = 8 6. 4x = y 17. x = −3, y = 8 18. x = 7, y = 2
x
3 5
7. y = x + 4 8. x + y = 6 19. x = —4 , y = 28 20. x = −4, y = − —4

1 5
1 21. x = −12, y = − —6 22. x = —3 , y = −7
9. 8y = x 10. xy = —
5
ERROR ANALYSIS In Exercises 23 and 24, the variables
In Exercises 11–14, tell whether x and y show direct x and y vary inversely. Describe and correct the error in
variation, inverse variation, or neither. (See Example 2.) writing an equation relating x and y.
11. 23. x = 8, y = 5
x 12 18 23 29 34

12.
y 132 198 253 319 374
✗ y = ax
5 = a (8)
5
x 1.5 2.5 4 7.5 10 —
8
=a

y 13.5 22.5 36 67.5 90 So, y = —58 x.

13.
x 4 6 8 8.4 12 24. x = 5, y = 2
y 21 14 10.5 10 7

14.
x 4 5 6.2 7 11
✗ 5 2=a⋅
xy = a

10 = a
y 16 11 10 9 6
So, y = 10x.

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 25. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS The number y of 28. HOW DO YOU SEE IT? Does the graph of f represent
songs that can be stored on an MP3 player varies inverse variation or direct variation? Explain
inversely with the average size x of a song. A certain your reasoning.
MP3 player can store 2500 songs when the average
size of a song is 4 megabytes (MB). (See Example 4.) y

4
f
a. Make a table showing the numbers of songs that
will fit on the MP3 player when the average size of 2
a song is 2 MB, 2.5 MB, 3 MB, and 5 MB.
b. What happens to the number of songs as the −2 2x
average song size increases?

26. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS When you stand on −4

snow, the average pressure P (in pounds per square

inch) that you exert on the snow varies inversely with
the total area A (in square inches) of the soles of your
footwear. Suppose the pressure is 0.43 pound per 29. MAKING AN ARGUMENT You have enough money to
square inch when you wear the snowshoes shown. buy 5 hats for $10 each or 10 hats for $5 each. Your
Write an equation that gives P as a function of A. friend says this situation represents inverse variation.
Then find the pressure when you wear the Is your friend correct? Explain your reasoning.
boots shown.

30. THOUGHT PROVOKING The weight w (in pounds)

of an object varies inversely with the square of the
Snowshoes:
A = 360 in.2
distance d (in miles) of the object from the center of
Earth. At sea level (3978 miles from the center of the
Earth), an astronaut weighs 210 pounds. How much
does the astronaut weigh 200 miles above sea level?

31. OPEN-ENDED Describe a real-life situation that can

be modeled by an inverse variation equation.
Boots:
A = 60 in.2
32. CRITICAL THINKING Suppose x varies inversely with
27. PROBLEM SOLVING Computer chips are etched y and y varies inversely with z. How does x vary with
onto silicon wafers. The table compares the area A z? Justify your answer.
(in square millimeters) of a computer chip with the
number c of chips that can be obtained from a silicon 33. USING STRUCTURE To balance the board in the
wafer. Write a model that gives c as a function of A. diagram, the distance (in feet) of each animal from the
Then predict the number of chips per wafer when the center of the board must vary inversely with its weight
area of a chip is 81 square millimeters. (in pounds). What is the distance of each animal from
the fulcrum? Justify your answer.
Area (mm2), A 58 62 66 70
6 ft
Number of chips, c 448 424 392 376 d ft

7 lb fulcrum 14 lb

Maintaining Mathematical Proficiency Reviewing what you learned in previous grades and lessons

Divide. (Section 4.3)

34. (x2 + 2x − 99) ÷ (x + 11) 35. (3x4 − 13x2 − x3 + 6x − 30) ÷ (3x2 − x + 5)

Graph the function. Then state the domain and range. (Section 6.4)
36. f(x) = 5x + 4 37. g(x) = e x − 1 38. y = ln 3x − 6 39. h(x) = 2 ln (x + 9)

364 Chapter 7 Rational Functions

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