I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS.

(COMPULSORY) Variations

6.1 RATE, RATIO & PROPORTION

Rate Rate is a comparison of two quantities of different kinds, and it has

units.
e.g. rate of walking : 5 km / h
rate of typing : 40 words per minute

Example 1. Two places A and B are 60 km apart. A man cycles from A to B

at a speed of 12 km/h and cycles immediately back to A along the
same straight road at a speed of 15 km/h .
(a) Find the time required for the man travelling from A to B.
(b) Find the total time required for the whole trip.
(c) Find the average speed for the whole trip.

Solution (a)

Example 2. A man walks from place A to place B at a speed of 3 km/h and

(HKCEE 1987) cycles immediately back to place A along the same road at a speed
of 15 km/h . The average speed for the whole trip is
A. 5 km/h
B. 6 km/h
C. 9 km/h
D. 10 km/h
E. 12 km/h

Example 3. John goes to school and returns home at speeds x km/h and (x + 1)
(HKCEE 1999) km/h respectively. The school is 2 km from John’s home and the
total time for the two journeys is 54 minutes. Which of the
following equations can be used to find x ?
x x+1 54
A. + =
2 2 60
2 2 54
B. + =
x x+1 60
1
[x + (x + 1)]
2 54
C. =
4 60
4 54
D. 1 =
60
2
[x + (x + 1)]
54
E. 2x + 2(x + 1) =
60

Unit 6 / P. 1
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 4. 96 toy cars can be completed by A alone in 6 days, or by B alone

in 8 days.
(a) How many toy cars can be completed by A in one day ?
(b) How many toy cars can be completed in one day if A and B
work together ?
(c) How many days are required to complete the work if A and B
work together ?

Solution (a)

Example 5. A piece of work can be completed by A alone in x days, or by B

(HKCEE 1979) alone in y days. If A and B work together, how many days will
they take to complete the work ?
A. x+y
x+y
B.
2
1 1
C. +
x y
2 2
D. +
x y
xy
E.
x+y

Example 6. A alone can complete a job in 8 hours. B alone takes 12 hours and
(HKCEE 1984) C alone takes 6 hours. After A and B have worked together on the
job for 3 hours, C joins them. How much longer will they take to
complete the job ?
A. 1 hour
1
B. 1 2 hour
C. 2 hours
1
D. 2 2 hours
E. 3 hours

Unit 6 / P. 2
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Travel Graphs A travel graph shows the distance travelled along a fixed route
against the time elapsed. The distance is measured from a given
starting point on the route with the distance measurements following
any kinks or bends in the path taken.

Example 7. Town X and town Y are 80 km apart. The figure shows the graphs
(HKDSE 2014) for car A and car B travelling on the same straight road between
town X and town Y during the period 7:30 to 9:30 in a morning.
Car A travels at a constant speed during the period. Car B comes to
rest at 8:15 in the morning.

(a) Find the distance of car A from town X at 8:15 in the morning.
(2 marks)
(b) At what time after 7:30 in the morning do car A and car B
first meet ? (2 marks)
(c) The driver of car B claims that the average speed of car B is
higher than that of car A during the period 8:15 to 9:30 in the
morning. Do you agree ? Explain your answer. (2 marks)

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 3
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Ratio Ratio is a comparison of two or more quantities of the same kind,

and it has no units.
e.g. For a rectangle with length 10 cm and breadth 8 cm , we say
5
length : breadth = 10 : 8 = 5 : 4 = 4

Example 8. Find the value of a : b if

(a) a = 12 , b = 18
(b) a = 24 , b = 16

Solution (a)

Example 9. Suppose k is a non-zero constant such that a = 4k and b = 3k . Find

the values of a and b, and the ratio a : b in each of the following
case :
(a) k=4
(b) k = 10
1
(c) k= 2

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 4
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 10. If a : b = 3 : 2 , find the values of

(a) 2a + b : a + 2b
(b) 2a + 3b : 2a – b
a + 4b
(c)
3a + b

Solution (a)

Example 11. Given that 8x = 12y . Find

(a) x:y
(b) 2x + y : 3x – y
2x + 3y
(c)
2y – x

Solution (a)

Example 12. 2m – n
Let m and n be non-zero numbers. If = 3 , then m : n =
(HKCEE 2011) m – 2n
A. 1:5.
B. 5:1.
C. 5:7.
D. 7:5.

Unit 6 / P. 5
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 13. Find the ratio a : b : c if

(a) a : b = 3 : 2 and b : c = 2 : 5
(b) a : b = 3 : 2 and b : c = 3 : 4
(c) a : b = 3 : 2 and a : c = 4 : 5
(d) 3a = 4b and 5b = 2c

Solution (a)

1 1
Example 14. If : = 3 : 5 and b : c = 4 : 3 , find
a b
(a) a:b
(b) a:b:c

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 6
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 15. 1 1
If : = 2 : 3 and a : c = 4 : 1 , then a : b : c =
(HKCEE 1991) a b
A. 12 : 8 : 3
B. 8:3:2
C. 4:6:1
D. 2:3:8
E. 2:3:4

Example 16. a+b+c

If a : b = 2 : 3 and b : c = 5 : 3 , then =
(HKCEE 1993) a–b+c
A. –2
5
B.
2
C. 4
17
D.
2
E. 31

Example 17. If a : b = 3 : 4 and b : c = 2 : 5 , then a2 : c2 =

(HKCEE 1990) A. 3 : 10
B. 9 : 25
C. 9 : 100
D. 36 : 25
E. 36 : 100

Example 18. 1 1 1
If 3a = 2b = 5c , then : : =
(HKCEE 1987) a b c
A. 3:2:5
B. 5:2:3
1 1 1
C. : :
3 2 5
1 1 1
D. : :
5 2 3
1 1 1
E. : :
2 3 5

Unit 6 / P. 7
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 19. Find the ratio a : b : c : d if

(a) a : b = 4 : 3 , b : c = 3 : 2 and c : d = 5 : 7
(b) a : b = 4 : 3 , a : c = 3 : 2 and a : d = 5 : 7

Solution (a)

Example 20. If a : b = 2 : 3 , a : c = 3 : 4 and b : d = 5 : 2 , then c : d =

(HKCEE 1992) A. 1:5
B. 16 : 45
C. 10 : 3
D. 20 : 9
E. 5:1

Example 21. If a : b = 2 : 3 , a : c = 3 : 4 and a : d = 4 : 5 , then b : c : d =

(HKCEE 1994) A. 2:3:4
B. 3:4:5
C. 3 : 6 : 10
D. 18 : 16 : 15
E. 40 : 45 : 48

Example 22. If x : y = 3 : 4 and 2x + 5y = 598 , find x.

(HKCEE 1999) A. 23
B. 26
C. 69
D. 78
E. 104

Unit 6 / P. 8
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 23. Given that a : b = 2 : 5 and b : c = 3 : 4 .

(a) Find the ratio a : b : c .
(b) If 2a + 5b – 3c = 81 , find the value of c.

Solution (a)

Example 24. If a, b and c are three positive numbers such that a : b : c = 2 : 3 : 5 ,

and 3a2 + 2b2 – c2 = 20 , find the three numbers.

Solution

Unit 6 / P. 9
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 25. Three numbers are in the ratio 2 : 3 : 5 . The ratio of their average to
(HKCEE 1983) the largest of the three numbers is
A. 1:3
B. 1:2
C. 3:5
D. 2:3
E. 2:1

Example 26. If A, B and C can finish running the same distance 3, 4 and 5
(HKCEE 1986) minutes respectively, then A’s speed : B’s speed : C’s speed =
A. 3:4:5
B. 5:4:3
C. 9:8:7
D. 20 : 15 : 12
E. 25 : 16 : 9

Example 27. The scale of a map is 1 : 20 000 . If two buildings are 3.8 cm apart
(HKCEE 2004) on the map, then the actual distance between the two buildings is
A. 0.076 km .
B. 0.76 km .
C. 7.6 km .
D. 76 km .

Example 28. The scale of a map is 1 : 5000 . If the area of a garden on the map
(HKCEE 2009) is 4 cm2 , then the actual area of the garden is
A. 100 m2 .
B. 200 m2 .
C. 10 000 m2 .
D. 20 000 m2 .

Example 29. If 1 Australian dollar is equivalent to 4.69 H.K. dollars and 100
(HKCEE 1999) Japanese yen are equivalent to 5.35 H.K. dollars, how many Japanese
yen are equivalent to 1 Australian dollar ? Give your answer correct
to the nearest Japanese yen.
A. 4
B. 25
C. 88
D. 114
E. 2509

Unit 6 / P. 10
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 30. If 1 Euro is equivalent to 6.94 H. K. dollars and 1 U. S. dollar is

(HKCEE 2002) equivalent to 7.78 H. K. dollars, how many Euros are equivalent to
100 U. S. dollars ? Give your answer correct to the nearest Euro.
A. 89
B. 112
C. 129
D. 144

Example 31. Tea A and tea B are mixed in the ratio x : y by weight. A costs $80
(HKCEE 2000) / kg and B costs $100 / kg . If the cost of A is increased by 10% and
that of B is decreased by 12%, the cost of the mixture per kg
remains unchanged. Find x : y .
A. 1:1
B. 2:3
C. 3:2
D. 5:6
E. 6:5

Example 32. The costs of rice of brand A and rice of brand B are $8 / kg and $4
(HKCEE 2008) / kg respectively. If x kg of rice of brand A and y kg of rice of
brand B are mixed so that the cost of the mixture is $5 / kg , find
x : y.
A. 1:2
B. 2:1
C. 1:3
D. 3:1

Example 33. A is 25% taller than B. B is 25% shorter than C. A’s height : C’s
(HKCEE 1984) height =
A. 1:1
B. 5:4
C. 3:4
D. 5:3
E. 15 : 16

Example 34. If a is 10% less than b and b is 10% greater than c, then a : c =
(HKCEE 1987) A. 1:1
B. 9 : 10
C. 10 : 9
D. 99 : 100
E. 100 : 99

Unit 6 / P. 11
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Proportion Proportion is the equality of two or more ratios.

e.g. Since 2 : 3 and 4 : 6 are two equivalent ratios, the equality
2 4
2 : 3 = 4 : 6 or = is a proportion.
3 6
a c e
Properties If = = = k , where k  0 , then
b d f
1. a:c:e = b:d:f
pa + qc + re
2. = k , where p, q, r are non-zero real numbers
pb + qd + rf

a b c 5a – 6b + 7c
Example 35. If = = = , find the value of x.
2 3 4 x

a b c 5a – 6b + 7c
Solution Let = = = = k
2 3 4 x
Then a = 2k , b = 3k and c = 4k .
1
Hence x = (5a – 6b + 7c)
k
1
= [5(2k) – 6(3k) + 7(4k)]
k
= 20

a b c ax – 5b + 6c
Example 36. If = = = , find the value of x.
2 3 4 15

a b c ax – 5b + 6c
Solution Let = = = = k
2 3 4 15
Then a = 2k , b = 3k and c = 4k .

Unit 6 / P. 12
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

a c
Example 37. Let a, b, c, d are 4 non-zero numbers such that = , prove that
b d
a + 2c 3a – 2c
= .
b + 2d 3b – 2d

Solution

a c
Example 38. If = = k and a, b, c, d are positive, then which of the
b d
(HKCEE 1992)
following must be true ?
a+c
A. = k
b+d
B. ab = cd = k
C. ac = bd = k
D. a = c = k
ac
E. = k
bd

Example 39. a c
If = , which of the following must be true ?
(HKCEE 1998) b d
a b
(1) =
c d
a+b c+d
(2) =
b d
a–b c–d
(3) =
b d
A. (1) only
B. (1) and (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
E. (1), (2) and (3)

Unit 6 / P. 13
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

a b
Example 40. a, b, c are positive numbers such that = = k (k being a
b c
(HKCEE 1984)
constant), which of the following must be true ?
(1) b2 = k2
a+b
(2) = k
b+c
a
(3) = k2
c
A. (2) only
B. (3) only
C. (1) and (2) only
D. (2) and (3) only
E. (1), (2) and (3)

Example 41. If a : b = b : c = c : d , find a : d in terms of b and c.

(HKCEE 1967)

Solution

Unit 6 / P. 14
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

6.2 VARIATIONS

Direct Variation Two quantities x and y are in direct variation if the ratio of x and y
is a constant.
Description : y varies [directly] as x
Symbolic form : y  x
Equation form : y = kx , where k is a non-zero variation constant
y1 y
or = 2
x1 x2
Graph : y

x
O

Example 42. The unit price of a certain T-shirt is $20. If x such T-shirts cost $ y .
(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Plot the graph of y against x.
(c) If Sarah has $320 , how many T-shirts can she buy ?

Solution (a)

(b)

Unit 6 / P. 15
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 43. It is given that y varies directly as x. Finish the following table :

(a) x 1 2 4

y 3 15

(b) x 2 4

y 6.2 24.8 310

Example 44. It is given that y  x . Finish the following table :

1 3
(a) x 0
2 4
y 6 14

(b) x 1 25

y 4 10 16

Example 45. It is given that y varies directly as x. Find an equation connecting

x and y for each of the following cases :

(a) x 1 4 9 16 25 36

y 2 4 6 8 10 12

(b) x 9 36 81 144 225 324

y 1 2 3 4 5 6

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 16
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 46. It is given that y  (x + 1) . Find an equation connecting x and y for

each of the following cases :

(a) x 3 5 7 9 11 13

y 6 9 12 15 18 21

(b) x 1 2 3 4 5 6
3 9 3 15 9 21
y
4 8 2 8 4 8

Solution (a)

Example 47. It is given that y is directly proportional to x3. When x = 2 ,

y = 16 .
(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the value of y when x = 1 .
(c) Find the value of x when y = –54 .

Solution (a) Let y = kx3 , where k is a non-zero constant.

When x = 2 , y = 16 ,
16 = k(2)3
k = 2
 y = 2x3

(b) When x = 1 ,
y = 2(1)3
= 2

(c) When y = –54 ,

–54 = 2x3
x = –3

Unit 6 / P. 17
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 48. It is given that y is directly proportional to x. When y = 20 ,

x = 16 .
(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the value of y when x = 9 .
(c) Find the value of x when y = 30 .

Solution (a)

Example 49. It is given that y varies as the square of x. When x = 6 , y = 72

Find the value of y when x = 5 .

y 72
Solution When x = 5 , 2 =
5 62
y = 50

Example 50. It is given that y  x . When x = 4 , y = 10 . Find the value of x

when y = 5 .

Solution

Example 51. If y  x – 5 and y = 12 when x = 8 , find y when x = 11 .

Solution

Unit 6 / P. 18
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 52. It is given that y varies directly as (2x + 1) . When x = 3 , y = 21 .

If y = 39 , find the value of x.

Solution

Example 53. It is given that ( y – 1) varies directly as (x + 1) . When x = 4 ,

y = 3 . If x = 14 , find the value of y.

Solution

Example 54. It is given that ( y + 3) varies directly as (x2 + 2x) . When x = 2 ,

y = 5.
(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the value of y when x = –2 .
(c) Find the value of x when y = –4 .

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 19
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 55. It is given that ( y + 5) varies directly as (x2 + x) . When x = 1 ,

y = –1 .
(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the value of y when x = –2 .
(c) Find the value of x when y = 19 .

Solution (a)

Example 56. The cost $C of making a cube varies as the cube of its side x cm ,
when the length is 10 cm , the cost is $15, find the cost of making
a cube of side 20 cm .

Solution 1 Let C = kx3 , where k is a non-zero constant.

When x = 10 , C = 15 ,
15 = k(10)3
3
k =
200
3 3
 C = x
200
When x = 1 ,
3
C = (20)3
200
= 120
 The required cost is $120.

203
Solution 2 The required cost = $15 ×
103
= $120

Unit 6 / P. 20
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 57. The cost $C of painting a sphere varies directly as the square of its
radius r cm . If the radius is 3 cm , then the cost of painting is $36.
Find the cost for painting a sphere with radius of 7 cm .

Solution

Example 58. The shipping cost $C of a parcel varies directly as the square root of
its weight w kg . When the weight is 16 kg , the shipping cost is
$28.
(a) Express C in terms of w.
(b) Find the shipping cost of a 36 kg parcel.

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 21
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Inverse Variation Two quantities x and y are in inverse variation if the product of x
and y is a constant, i.e. xy = constant .
Description : y varies inversely as x
1
Symbolic form : y 
x
k
Equation form : y = , where k is a non-zero variation constant
x
or x1 y1 = x2 y2
Graph : y

x
O

Example 59. John wants to distribute 120 apples evenly to x children. Suppose
each child can get y apples.
(a) Complete the table :
Value of x Value of y
4
10
20
60

(b) Express y in terms of x. Does y vary inversely as x ?

(c) Plot the graph of y against x.

Solution (b)

(c)

Unit 6 / P. 22
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 60. It is given that y varies inversely as x. Finish the following table :

(a) x 4 25
50 25
y 50
3 3

(b) x 36 81
9
y 9 4
4

Example 61. It is given that y varies inversely as x2. Find an equation connecting
x and y for each of the following cases :

(a) x 2 4 6 8 10 12

y 180 45 20 11.25 7.2 5

(b) x 1 2 3 4 5 6

y 900 225 100 56.25 36 25

Solution (a)

1
Example 62. It is given that y  . Find an equation connecting x and y for
x+3
each of the following cases :

(a) x 1 3 5 6 9
3 4
y 3 2 1
2 3

(b) x 0 1 2 3 4
2 1 2 1 2
y
3 2 5 3 7

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 23
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 63. x and y are two variables. The table below shows some values of x
(HKCEE 1996) and their corresponding values of y.

x 2 3 6 12
y 36 16 4 1

Which of the following may be a relation between x and y ?

A. x  y
B. x  y
1
C. x 
y
1
D. x 
y
1
E. x  2
y

Example 64. It is given that y is inversely proportional to (x – 2) . When x = 4 ,

y = 6.
(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the value of y when x = 6 .
(c) Find the value of x when y = 8 .

k
Solution (a) Let y = , where k is a non-zero constant.
x–2
When x = 4 , y = 6 ,
k
6 =
(4) – 2
k = 12
12
 y =
x–2

(b) When x = 6 ,
12
y =
(6) – 2
= 3

(c) When y = 8 ,
12
8 =
x–2
3
x–2 =
2
7
x =
2

Unit 6 / P. 24
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 65. It is given that x is inversely proportional to (3y – 5) . When x = 1 ,

y = 4.
(a) Express x in terms of y.
(b) Find the value of x when y = 3 .
(c) Find the value of y when x = 7 .

Solution (a)

Example 66. It is given that y is inversely proportional to (4x – 5)2 . When x = 2 ,

y = 32 .
(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the value of y when x = 2 .
(c) Find the value of x when y = 18 .

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 25
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 67. It is given that y is inversely proportional to x. When x = 1 ,

y = 10 .
(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the value of x and y if x – y = 3 .

Solution (a)

Example 68. For a certain journey, the spent time y hours varies inversely as the
speed x km per hour. When the speed is 40 km per hour, the time
spent is 3 hours.
(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the time required if the speed is 60 km per hour.

k
Solution (a) Let y = , where k is a non-zero constant.
x
When x = 40 , y = 3 ,
k
3 =
40
k = 120
120
 y =
x
(b) When x = 60 ,
120
y =
60
= 2
 The time required is 2 hours.

Unit 6 / P. 26
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 69. The selling price of a car ($C) is inversely proportional to the square
of the number of years it has been manufactured (x). It is known
that the selling price of a 5 years car is $30000. Find
(a) Express C in terms of x.
(b) Find the selling price of a 4-year car.
(c) If the selling price of a car is $7500, find the number of years
that it has been manufactured.

Solution (a)

Example 70. For a given length of tunnel, it is given that the speed of a car is
inversely proportional to the time taken to pass through the tunnel.
When the speed is 50 ms–1 , it takes 10 minutes. Find the time taken
with a speed of 75 ms–1 .

Solution

Unit 6 / P. 27
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 71. The number of days to finish a project is inversely proportional to

the number of workers. It is known that 12 workers take 15 days to
finish the project. Find the number of workers needed to finish the
project within 9 days.

Solution

Example 72. For a certain piece of work, the number of days needed to complete
the work y varies inversely as the number of workers employed x to
do the work. It would take 12 days to finish the work if 40 workers
are employed.
(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the time required for if the number of workers increases
by 50%.

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 28
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Joint Variation Description : x varies [jointly] as a, b, c, ...

Symbolic form : x  abc ...
Equation form : x = kabc ...

Example 73. Complete the following table :

Description Symbolic form Equation form

(a) z varies as x2 and y

(b) z varies as x and inversely as y

2
(c) z varies inversely as x and
directly as y
(d) z varies as the cube of x and
inversely as the square root of y

Example 74. If z varies inversely as x and directly as y, then

(HKCEE 1989) A. xyz is a constant .
xz
B. is a constant .
y
yz
C. is a constant .
x
2
xz
D. is a constant .
y
z2
E. is a constant .
xy

Example 75. If x varies inversely as y and directly as z2 then

(HKCEE 1998) x
A. is a constant .
yz2
xy
B. is a constant .
z2
xz2
C. is a constant .
y
z2
D. is a constant .
y
1
E. + z2 is a constant .
y

Example 76. If z varies inversely as x and directly as the cube of y, which of the
(HKDSE 2014) following must be constant ?
A. xy3z
B. x3yz3
y3
C.
xz
y
D. 3 3
xz

Unit 6 / P. 29
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 77. If w varies directly as the square root of u and inversely as the
(HKDSE 2018) square of v, which of the following must be constant ?
A. u4vw2
B. uv4w2
vw2
C.
u4
v4w2
D.
u

Example 78. Express z in terms of x and y for each of the following cases :
(a) z varies jointly as x2 and y. When x = 2 and y = 4 , z = 48 .
(b) z varies jointly as x and y. When x = 6 and y = 25 , z = 20 .
(c) z varies directly as x and inversely as y2. When x = 9 and
y = 2, z = 3.

Solution (a) Let z = kx2y , where k is a non-zero constant.

When x = 2 and y = 4 , z = 48 ,
48 = k(2)2(4)
k = 3
 z = 3x2y
(b)

Example 79. It is given that x varies jointly as y2 and z. When y = 5 and z = 2 ,

x = 100 .
(a) Express x in terms of y and z.
(b) Find the value of x when y = 2 and z = 3 .

Solution (a) Let x = ky2z , where k is a non-zero constant.

When y = 5 and z = 2 , x = 100 ,
100 = k(5)2(2)
k = 2
 x = 2y2z

(b) When y = 2 and z = 3 ,

x = 2(2)2(3)
= 24

Unit 6 / P. 30
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 80. Suppose x varies directly as y2 and inversely as z. When y = 3 and

(HKCEE 1994) z = 10 , x = 54 .
(a) Express x in terms of y and z.
(b) Find x when y = 5 and z = 12 .
(3 marks)

Solution (a)

Example 81. It is given that z varies directly as x2 and inversely as y. When

x = 2 and y = 3 , z = 8 .
(a) Express z in terms of x and y.
(b) Find the value of x when y = 2 and z = 27 .

Solution (a)

Example 82. It is given that R varies directly as x and y2 and also varies inversely
as z3. When x = 6 , y = 9 and z = 3 , R = 6 .
(a) Express R in terms of x, y and z.
(b) Find the value of y when x = 24 , z = 2 and R = 36 .

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 31
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 83. It is given that p varies directly as the square root of q and the cube
of r and varies inversely as the square of s. When q = 9 , r = 1
and s = 3 , p = 1 .
(a) Express p in terms of q, r and s.
(b) Find the value of r when p = q = 3r and s = 6r .

Solution (a)

Example 84. It is given that z varies jointly as x and y2. When x = y = 4 ,

z = 32 . Find the value of z when x = 81 and y = 6 .

Solution 1 Let z = k xy2 , where k is a non-zero constant.

When x = y = 4 , z = 32 ,
32 = k 4(4)2
k = 1
 z = xy2

When x = 81 and y = 6 ,
z = 81(6)2
= 324

z 32
Solution 2 2 =
81(6) 4(4)2
z = 324

Example 85. It is given that y varies directly as x3 and inversely as z2. When
x = 2 and z = 1 , y = 32 . Find the value of y when x = 1 and
z = 3.

Solution

Unit 6 / P. 32
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 86. It is given that z varies directly as x2 and inversely as y. If x = 1

(HKCEE 1986) and y = 2 , then z = 3 . Find z when x = 2 and y = 3 .
(6 marks)

Solution

Example 87. Suppose x varies directly as y and inversely as z. When y = 2 and

(HKCEE 1997) z = 3 , x = 7 . When y = 6 and z = 7 , x =
A. 1
49
B. 9
C. 9
49
D. 4
E. 49

Example 88. y varies directly as x2 and inversely as z . If y = 1 when x = 2

(HKCEE 2000) and z = 9 , find y when x = 1 and z = 4 .
2
A.
3
8
B.
3
1
C.
6
3
D.
8
9
E.
26

Example 89. It is given that z varies directly as x2 and inversely as y. When x =

1 and y = 2 , z = 2 . Find the value of y when x = 2 and z = 32 .

Solution

Unit 6 / P. 33
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 90. For a cylindrical cake, the price $C varies jointly as r2 and h, where
r and h are respectively the radius of the base and height of the
cake. When the radius is 10 cm and the height is 6 cm , the price
of the cake is $150 .
(a) Express C in terms of r and h.
(b) If the price of the cake is $360 and the height 10 cm, find the
radius of the base of the cake.

Solution (a)

Example 91. The water pressure of a cylinder shaped water pipe (P) varies directly
as its length (l) and inversely as the square of its radius (r). When
l = 3 and r = 2 , P = 90 . Find the value of r when P = 200 and
l = 5.

Solution

Unit 6 / P. 34
 I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Percentage Change If z  xmyn , then

in Variation % change in z = [(1 + % change in x)m(1 + % change in y)n – 1] × 100%

Example 92. Find the percentage change in y for each of the following cases :
(a) y varies as x2, and x is increased by 20%.
(b) y varies as x3, and x is increased by 10%.
(c) y varies inversely as x3, and x is increased by 25%.
(d) y  x, and x is increased by 21%.

Solution (a) The percentage change in y

= [(1 + 20%)2 – 1] × 100%
= 44%
 y is increased by 44%.
(b)

Unit 6 / P. 35
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 93. Find the percentage change in y for each of the following cases :
(a) y varies as x2, and x is decreased by 10%.
(b) y varies as x3, and x is decreased by 30%.
(c) y varies inversely as x2, and x is decreased by 20%.
(d) y  x, and x is decreased by 19%.

Solution (a) The percentage change in y

= [(1 – 10%)2 – 1] × 100%
= –19%
 y is decreased by 19%.
(b)

Example 94. It is given that y varies inversely as x. If x is increased by 50%,

(HKCEE 2002) then y is decreased by
1
A. 33 % .
3
B. 50% .
2
C. 66 % .
3
D. 100% .

Example 95. 1
It is given that x  . If y increases by 100%, then
(HKCEE 1979) y
A. x increases by 50% .
B. x increases by 75% .
C. x decreases by 50% .
D. x decreases by 75% .
E. x decreases by 100% .

Unit 6 / P. 36
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 96. y varies inversely as x2. If x is increased by 100%, then y is

(HKCEE 1988) A. increased by 100% .
B. increased by 300% .
C. decreased by 25% .
D. decreased by 75% .
E. decreased by 100% .

Example 97. It is given that y varies inversely as x3. If x is increased by 100%,

(HKCEE 1999) then y is
A. increased by 800% .
B. increased by 700% .
C. decreased by 300% .
D. decreased by 87.5% .
E. decreased by 12.5% .

Example 98. Let x vary inversely as y . If y is increased by 69%, then x will

(HKCEE 1994) be
A. increased by 23.1% (3 sig. fig.) .
B. increased by 30% .
C. decreased by 23.1% (3 sig. fig.) .
D. decreased by 30% .
E. decreased by 76.9% (3 sig. fig.) .

Example 99. The square of the radius of a cylinder (r cm) varies inversely as its
height (h cm). If its height is increased by 21%, find the change of
percentage of the radius.

Solution

Example 100. The volume of a kind of gas (V) varies directly as its temperature
(T) and varies inversely as its pressure (P). If the temperature is
increased by 20% and the pressure is decreased by 40%, find the
percentage change of the volume.

Solution

Unit 6 / P. 37
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 101. The cost of an electric appliance ($C) varies inversely as its weight
(W g). When it weighs 120 g , its cost is $3600.
(a) Express C in terms of W.
(b) If the weight of the electric appliance reduced from 120 g to
100 g , find the percentage change of its cost.

Solution (a)

Example 102. Find the percentage change in z for each of the following cases :
(a) z varies directly as x2 and y, and both x and y are increased by
20%.
(b) z varies directly as x and y, and x is increased by 10% while y
is decreased by 10%.
(c) z varies inversely as x and varies directly as y2, and x is
increased by 20% while y is decreased by 20%.
(d) z varies inversely as x and varies inversely as y2, and x is
decreased by 19% while y is increased by 10%.

Solution (a) The percentage change in z

= [(1 + 20%)2(1 + 20%) – 1] × 100%
= 72.8%
 z is increased by 72.8%.
(b)

Unit 6 / P. 38
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 103. Suppose x varies directly as y2 and inversely as z. Find the

(HKCEE 1992) percentage increase of x when y is increased by 20% and z is
decreased by 20%.
A. 15.2%
B. 20%
C. 50%
D. 72.8%
E. 80%

Example 104. If z varies as the square of x and varies inversely as y, find the
percentage change in z if x is increased to triple and y is reduced
to half.

Solution

Example 105. Given that x varies directly as y2, and y varies inversely as z,
(HKCEE 1977) (a) prove that x varies inversely as z2 ;
(b) find the percentage change in x when z is increased by 10% .
(Answer correct to 3 significant figures.)

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 39
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Partial Variation This type of variation typically is the sum of two or more parts, in
which at least one part contains a variable while the other part may
be a constant or a variable part. For example,
1. z is partly constant and partly varies as x.
i.e. z = k1 + k2x
2. z is partly varies as x and partly varies as y.
i.e. z = k1x + k2 y

Example 106. Complete the following table :

Description Equation form

(a) y is partly constant and partly varies as x2
y is partly constant and partly varies inversely
(b)
as x
(c) y varies partly as x and partly inversely as x2

(d) y varies partly as x and partly as x2

(e) z varies partly as x and partly as y2

(f) z varies partly as x2 and partly inversely as y

Example 107. Which of the following graphs shows that y is partly constant and
(HKCEE 1990) partly varies inversely as x ?
A. B.

C. D.

E.

Unit 6 / P. 40
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 108. Express y in terms of x for each of the following cases :

(a) y is partly constant and partly varies as x. When x = 0 , y = 2
and when x = 1 , y = 8 .
(b) y is partly constant and partly varies inversely as x2. When
x = 1 , y = 20 and when x = 3 , y = 4 .
(c) y partly varies as x and partly varies inversely as x. When
x = 1 , y = 6 and when x = 2 , y = 15 .
(d) y partly varies as x and partly varies as x3. When x = 1 ,
y = 3 and when x = 2 , y = 12 .

Solution (a) Let y = k1 + k2 x , where k1 and k2 are non-zero constants.

When x = 0 , y = 2 ,
2 = k1 + k2(0)
k1 = 2
When x = 1 , y = 8 ,
8 = k1 + k2(1)
k2 = 8 – k1
= 6
 y = 2 + 6x
(b)

Unit 6 / P. 41
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 109. Given p = y + z , where y varies directly as x, z varies inversely as

(HKCEE 1987) x and x is positive. When x = 2 , p = 7 ; when x = 3 , p = 8 .
(a) Find p when x = 4 .
(8 marks)
(b) Find the range of values of x such that p is less than 13.
(4 marks)

Solution (a)

Example 110. Express z in terms of x and y for each of the following cases :
(a) z is partly varies as x and partly varies inversely as y. When
x = y = 1 , z = 5 and when x = 1 and y = 2 , z = 4 .
(b) z is partly varies as the square of x and partly varies inversely
as y. When x = y = 1 , z = 4 and when x = 1 and y = 2 ,
z = 5.

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 42
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 111. The cost of a birthday party ($C) is the sum of two parts. One part
is a constant and the other part varies directly with the number of
guests (n). If there are 20 guests in the party, then the cost of the
party is $1700. If there are 30 guests in the party, then the cost of
the party is $2300.
(a) Express C in terms of n.
(b) Find the cost of the birthday party with 40 guests.

Solution (a)

Example 112. One part of the friction of a travelling car (F) is a constant and the
other part varies directly with the square of its speed (v). When
v = 40 , F = 98 and when v = 50 , F = 125 .
(a) Express F in terms of v.
(b) Find the value of v when F = 242 .

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 43
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 113. It is given that one part of the cost of a plastic bag ($C) is a
constant and the other part varies inversely as the number of
production (n). When the number of production is 200, the cost of a
plastic bag is $1. When the number of production is 400, the cost
of a plastic bag is $0.7 .
(a) Express C in terms of n.
(b) If the number of production is 1200, find the cost of plastic
bag.
(c) If the cost of a plastic bag is limited to $0.6 , find the
minimum number of production.

Solution (a)

Example 114. A salesman’s income in any month is partly constant and partly
(HKCEE 1973) varies directly as the value of his sales in that month. When the
value of his sales is $10 000 , his income in that month is $900 .
When the value of his sales is $12 000 , his income in that month is
$1000 .
(a) If, in a certain month, his income is p dollars and the value of
his sales in that month is q dollars, find an equation connecting
p and q.
(b) If the value of his sales in a month is $30 000 , find his
income for that month.
(c) What must be the value of his sales in a month so that he will
get an income of $2000 ?

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 44
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 115. It is given that y partly varies as x and partly varies as x2. For each
of the following cases, express y in terms of x, and hence find the
maximum / minimum value of y and the corresponding value of x :
(a) When x = 1 , y = 1 and when x = 2 , y = –2 .
(b) When x = 1 , y = –6 and when x = 2 , y = –10 .
(c) When x = 1 , y = 5 and when x = 2 , y = 16 .
(d) When x = –1 , y = 2 and when x = 2 , y = –10 .

Solution (a) Let y = k1x + k2 x2 , where k1 and k2 are non-zero constants.

When x = 1 , y = 1 ,
1 = k1(1) + k2(1)2
k1 + k2 = 1 ......................................... (1)
When x = 2 , y = –2 ,
–2 = k1(2) + k2(2)2
k1 + 2k2 = –1 ....................................... (2)
On solving, k1 = 3 and k2 = –2
 y = 3x – 2x2
As y = 3x – 2x2
3 9
= –2(x – )2 +
4 8
9 3
Hence y attains its maximum value when x = .
8 4
(b)

Unit 6 / P. 45
I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 116. A variable quantity y is the sum of two parts. The first part varies
(HKCEE 1988) directly as another variable x, while the second part varies directly as
x2. When x = 1 , y = –5 ; when x = 2 , y = –8 .

(a) Express y in terms of x.

Hence find the value of y when x = 6 .
(8 marks)

(b) Express y in the form (x – p)2 – q , where p and q are constants.

Hence find the least possible value of y when x varies.
(4 marks)

Solution (a)

Unit 6 / P. 46
 I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

ANSWERS

40
Example 1 (a) 5 hours (b) 9 hours (c) km/h
3
Example 2 A

Example 3 B
24
Example 4 (a) 16 (b) 28 (c) days
7
Example 5 E

Example 6 A

Example 7 (a) 30 km (b) 8:36

(c) During the period 8:15 to 9:30 in the morning, car B travels while car A travels more
than 36 km . So, the average speed of car A is higher than that of car B. Thus, the
claim is disagreed.

Example 8 (a) 2 : 3 (b) 3 : 2

Example 9 (a) 4 : 3 (b) 4 : 3 (c) 4 : 3

Example 10 (a) 8 : 7 (b) 3 : 1 (c) 1

Example 11 (a) 3 : 2 (b) 8 : 7 (c) 12

Example 12 B

Example 13 (a) 3 : 2 : 5 (b) 9 : 6 : 8 (c) 12 : 8 : 15 (d) 8 : 6 : 15

Example 14 (a) 5 : 3 (b) 20 : 12 : 9

Example 15 A

Example 16 D

Example 17 C

Example 18 A

Example 19 (a) 20 : 15 : 10 : 14 (b) 60 : 45 : 40 : 84

Example 20 D

Example 21 D

Example 22 C

Example 23 (a) 6 : 15 : 20 (b) 60

Example 24 a = 4 , b = 6 , c = 10

Example 25 D

Example 26 D

Example 27 B

Unit 6 / P. 47
 I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 28 C

Example 29 C

Example 30 B

Example 31 C

Example 32 C

Example 33 E

Example 34 D

Example 35 20

Example 36 3
a c
Example 37 Let = = k
b d
a + 2c (kb) + 2(kd)
Then L.H.S. = = = k
b + 2d b + 2d
3a – 2c 3(kb) – 2(kd)
and R.H.S. = = = k = L.H.S.
3b – 2d 3b – 2d
Example 38 A

Example 39 E

Example 40 D

Example 41 b3 : c3

Example 42 (a) y = 20x (c) 16

Example 43 (a) x 1 2 5 4 (b) x 2 4 8 100

y 3 6 15 12 y 6.2 12.4 24.8 310

Example 44 (a) 1 3 7 (b)

x 0 x 1 10 25 40
2 4 4
2
y 0 4 6 14 y 4 10 16
5

1
Example 45 (a) y = 2 x (b) y =
x
3
3 3
Example 46 (a) y = (x + 1) (b) y = (x + 1)
2 8
Example 47 (a) y = 2x3 (b) 2 (c) –3

Example 48 (a) y = 5 x (b) 15 (c) 36

Example 49 50

Example 50 1

Example 51 24

Example 52 6

Example 53 7

Unit 6 / P. 48
 I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

Example 54 (a) y = x2 + 2x – 3 (b) –3 (c) –1

Example 55 (a) y = 2(x2 + x) – 5 (b) –1 (c) 3 or –4

Example 56 $120

Example 57 $196

Example 58 (a) C = 7 w (b) $42

Example 59 (a) x 4 10 20 60 120

(b) y =
y 30 12 6 2 x

Example 60 (a) x 4 25 36 144 (b) x 16 36 81 256

50 25 9
y 50 20 y 9 6 4
3 3 4

Example 61 (a) x2y = 720 (b) x2y = 900

Example 62 (a) (x + 3) y = 12 (b) (x + 3) y = 2

Example 63 C
12 7
Example 64 (a) y = (b) 3 (c)
x–2 2
7 7
Example 65 (a) x = (b) (c) 2
3y – 5 4
288 1 9
Example 66 (a) y = (b) 32 (c)
or
(4x – 5)2 4 4
10  x = 5  x = –2
Example 67 (a) y = (b)  y = 2 or  y = –5
x
120
Example 68 (a) y = (b) 2 hours
x
750000
Example 69 (a) C = (b) $46875 (c) 10
x2
20
Example 70 minutes
3
Example 71 20
480
Example 72 (a) y = (b) 8 days
x
x kx
Example 73 (a) z  x2y z = kx2y (b) z  z =
y y
y ky x3 kx3
(c) z  z = (d) z  z =
x2 x2 y y
Example 74 B

Example 75 B

Example 76 C

Example 77 D
2 4x
Example 78 (a) z = 3x2y (b) z = x y (c) z =
3 3y2
Example 79 (a) x = 2y2z (b) 24
60y2
Example 80 (a) x = (b) 125
z

Unit 6 / P. 49
 I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

6x2
Example 81 (a) z = (b) ±3
y
xy2
Example 82 (a) R = 3 (b) ±6
3z
3 q r3
Example 83 (a) p = (b) 432
s2
Example 84 324
4
Example 85
9
Example 86 8

Example 87 C

Example 88 D
1
Example 89
2
1 2
Example 90 (a) C = rh (b) 12 cm
4
Example 91 3

Example 92 (a) +44% (b) +33.1% (c) –48.8% (d) +10%

Example 93 (a) –19% (b) –65.7% (c) +56.25% (d) –10%

Example 94 A

Example 95 C

Example 96 D

Example 97 D

Example 98 C

Example 99 –9.0909%

Example 100 +100%

432000
Example 101 (a) C = (b) +20%
W
Example 102 (a) +72.8% (b) –1% (c) –46.6667% (d) –8.1726%

Example 103 E

Example 104 +1700%

Example 105 (b) –17.3554%

k2
Example 106 (a) y = k1 + k2 x2 (b) y = k1 +
x
k2
(c) y = k1 x + (d) y = k1 x + k2 x2
x2
k2
(e) z = k1 x + k2 y2 (f) y = k1 x2 +
y
Example 107 E
18
Example 108 (a) y = 2 + 6x (b) y = 2 +
x2

Unit 6 / P. 50
 I. L. C. NOTES DSE MATHS. (COMPULSORY) Variations

2
(c) y = 8x – (d) y = 2x + x
x
1
Example 109 (a) 9.5 (b) <x<6
2
2 2
Example 110 (a) z = 3x + (b) z = 6x2 –
y y
Example 111 (a) C = 500 + 60n (b) $2900
3 2
Example 112 (a) F = 50 + v (b) 80
100
2 120
Example 113 (a) C = + (b) $0.5 (c) 600
5 n
Example 114 (a) p = 400 + 0.05q (b) $1900 (c) $32000
9 3
Example 115 (a) y = 3x – 2x2 ; y attains its maximum value when x =
8 4
49 7
(b) y = –7x + x2 ; y attains its minimum value – when x =
4 2
1 1
(c) y = 2x + 3x2 ; y attains its minimum value – when x = –
3 3
9 2
(d) y = –3x – x2 ; y attains its maximum value when x = –
4 3
Example 116 (a) y = –6x + x2 ; 0 (b) y = (x – 3)2 – 9 ; –9

Unit 6 / P. 51