NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

Basic
Worksheet 9.1 Direct Variation
(Refer to Book 4B Ch9 p. 9.6 – 9.18)
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Key Points
y
1. If y varies directly as x, then  k or y = kx, where k ≠ 0. k is called the variation constant.
x
In symbols, we write y  x .

2. The graph of y = kx, where k ≠ 0, is a straight line passing through the origin with slope k.
e.g.

1. Write an equation with a variation constant k to represent each of the following statements.

Equation
(a) y varies directly as x.
(b) y varies directly as x.
(c) m is directly proportional to the square of n.
(d) V is directly proportional to the cube of r.
(e) The price ($P) of a diamond varies directly as the
cube of its weight (w g).

2. It is given that y varies directly as x. When x = 8, y = 24.

(a) Find the variation constant. Hence, express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the value of y when x = 54.
Solution
(a) ∵ y varies directly as x.
∴ ( )  k( ) , where k ≠ 0

By substituting x = 8 and y = 24 into the equation, we have

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

(b)

3. It is given that y  x , and y = 30 when x = 25.

(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the value of y when x = 256.
Solution
(a) ∵ y  x

∴ ( )  k( ) , where k ≠ 0

(b)

4. It is given that p is directly proportional to q2, where q > 0. When q = 2, p = 28.

(a) Find an equation connecting q and p.
(b) Find the values of
(i) p when q = 3, (ii) q when p = 175.
Solution
(a)

(b) (i) (ii)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

5. It is given that y varies directly as 3 x , and y = 14 when x = 8. Without finding the variation
constant, find the value of y when x = 64.
Solution
∵ y varies directly as 3 x .
∴ ( )  k( ) , where k ≠ 0
( )
k
( )

For any two pairs of x and y, say ( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 ) , we have

( ) y2
 k and k
3 x1 3 ( )
( ) y2
∴ 
3 x1 3 ( )

By substituting x1 = 8, y1 = 14 and x2 = 64 into the equation, we have

∴ When x = 64, y = ( ).

6. Complete the following tables.

(a) yx

x 2 4 6 8 10
y 6 12

(b) y varies directly as x , where x is positive.

x 1
y 4 8 12 16 20

(c) y is directly proportional to cube of x.

x 4 2 –1

1
y 4 –4
16

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

7. It is given that y is directly proportional to x. The following table shows some corresponding
values of x and y.

x 2 4 10
y 8 16 40
(a) Find the variation constant.
(b) Draw the graph of y against x for 0 ≤ x ≤ 10.
(c) Using the graph in (b), find
(i) the value of y when x = 3,
(ii) the value of x when y = 20.
Solution
(a)

(b)

(c) (i) (ii)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

8. The figure shows the graph of y against x.

Given that y varies directly as x, find
(a) an equation connecting x and y,
(b) (i) the value of y when x = 15,
(ii) the value of x when y = 90.
Solution
(a) ∵ y varies directly as x.
∴ ( )  k( ) , where k ≠ 0
From the graph, y = 10 when x = ( ), we have

(b) (i) (ii)

9. It is given that h  g 3 . Find the percentage changes in h when g is

(a) increased by 20%.
(b) decreased by 20%.
Solution
(a) ∵ h  g 3

∴ ( ) = k( ), where k ≠ 0
Let h0 and g0 be the original values of h and g respectively, i.e. h0 = k( ).
New value of g  [1  ( )]g 0

New value of h =

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

( )  h0
∴ Percentage change in h   100%
h0


(b)

10. The price ($P) of a bunch of grapes varies directly as its weight (w g). When a bunch of grapes
weighs 500 g, the price is $20.
(a) Express P in terms of w.
(b) Find the price of a bunch of grapes weighing 700 g.
Solution
(a)

(b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

Enhanced
Worksheet 9.1 Direct Variation
(Refer to Book 4B Ch9 p. 9.6 – 9.18)
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Key Points
y
1. If y varies directly as x, then  k or y = kx, where k ≠ 0. k is called the variation constant.
x
In symbols, we write y  x .

2. The graph of y = kx, where k ≠ 0, is a straight line passing through the origin with slope k.
e.g.

1. It is given that y 3  x 2 , where both x and y are positive. When x = 4, y = 2.

(a) Find an equation connecting x and y.
1
(b) Find the value of x when y = .
2
Solution
(a)

(b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

2. It is given that u2 varies directly as v , where u > 0. When v = 64, u = 12.

(a) Find an equation connecting u and v.
(b) Find the values of
(i) u when v = 4, (ii) v when u = 3.
Solution
(a)

(b) (i) (ii)

3. It is given that m varies directly as (n – 2). When n = 11, m = 108.

(a) Express m in terms of n. (b) Find the value of m when n = 13.
Solution
(a) (b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

4. It is given that P is directly proportional to the cube root of W. When W = 8, P = 24.

(a) Express P in terms of W.
2
(b) Find the value of W when P  3W . 3

(c) If W is decreased by 48.8%, find the percentage change in P.

Solution
(a) (b)

(c)

5. The volume (V mL) of a cylindrical water bottle varies directly as the square of its base radius
(r cm). The volume of the bottle is 480 mL when the base radius is 4 cm.
(a) Find an equation connecting V and r.
(b) Daniel claims that the volume of the bottle is doubled when its base radius is doubled. Do
you agree? Explain your answer.
Solution
(a) (b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

6. Roy is a taxi driver. He finds that the cost ($C) of fuel consumption in a month is directly
proportional to the square root of the distance travelled (s km) in that month. It is given that
the cost of fuel consumption in September was $54 while the total distance travelled was
144 km.
(a) Find an equation connecting C and s.
(b) In October, Roy travelled a total distance of 196 km. What was the cost of fuel
consumption?
(c) If the distance travelled is increased by 125%, find the percentage change in the cost of
fuel consumption.
Solution
(a)

(b)

(c)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

Basic
Worksheet 9.2 Inverse Variation
(Refer to Book 4B Ch9 p. 9.19 – 9.31)
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Key Points
k
1. If y varies inversely as x, then xy = k or y  , where k ≠ 0. k is called the variation constant.
x
1
In symbols, we write y  .
x
k
2. The graph of y  , where k ≠ 0, is a curve.
x
e.g.

1. Write an equation with a variation constant k to represent each of the following statements.

Equation
(a) y varies inversely as x.
(b) y varies inversely as the cube of x.
(c) p is inversely proportional to the square root of q.
(d) F is inversely proportional to the square of r.
(e) The value ($V) of a car varies inversely as the
square of its age (T years).

2. It is given that y varies inversely as x, and y = 18 when x = 3.

(a) Find the variation constant. Hence, express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the value of y when x = 9.
Solution
(a) ∵ y varies inversely as x.
k
∴ ( ) , where k  0
( )
By substituting x = 3 and y = 18 into the equation, we have

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

(b)

1
3. It is given that y  . When x = 3, y = 5.
x2
(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Find the value of y when x = 5.
Solution
(a) (b)

1
4. It is given that p is inversely proportional to the square root of q. When q = 36, p = .
2
(a) Find an equation connecting q and p.
(b) Find the values of
(i) p when q = 225, (ii) q when p = 12.
Solution
(a)

(b) (i) (ii)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

3
5. It is given that y varies inversely as x , and y = 5 when x = 64. Without finding the variation
constant, find the value of y when x = 125.
Solution
3
∵ y varies inversely as x.
k
∴ ( ) , where k ≠ 0
( )
( )( )k

For any two pairs of x and y, say ( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 ) , we have

( )(3 x1 )  k and y2 [3 ( )]  k
∴ ( )(3 x1 )  y2 [3 ( )]

By substituting x1 = 64, y1 = 5 and x2 = 125 into the equation, we have

∴ When x = 125, y = ( ).

6. Complete the following tables.

1
(a) y
x

x 1 2 3 4 5
y 6

(b) y varies inversely as x2, where x is positive.

x 1

9
y 36 9 4 1
4

(c) y is inversely proportional to the cube root of x.

x –1 8 64

3
y –3 1
5
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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

7. The figure shows the graph of y against x.

It is given that y varies inversely as x.
(a) Express y in terms of x.
(b) Hence, find the value of y when x = 60.
Solution
(a) ∵ y varies inversely as x.
k
∴ ( ) , where k  0
( )
From the graph, y = 10 when x = ( ),
we have

(b)

1
8. It is given that E  , where d > 0.
d
(a) If d is increased by 21%, find the percentage change in E.
(b) If E is increased by 20%, find the percentage change in d.
(Give your answers correct to 3 significant figures.)
Solution
1
(a) ∵ E 
d
k
∴ ( ) , where k ≠ 0
( )
k
Let E0 and d0 be the original values of E and d respectively, i.e. E0 = .
( )
New value of d  [1  ( )]d 0


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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

New value of E =

( )  E0
∴ Percentage change in E   100%
E0


(b)

9. A tram travels a certain distance at a constant speed. It is given that the travel time (t h) varies
inversely as the speed (v km/h) of the tram. When the speed of the tram is 45 km/h, the travel
time is 20 minutes.
(a) Express t in terms of v.
(b) Find the travel time when the speed of the tram is 30 km/h.
Solution
(a) (b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

Enhanced
Worksheet 9.2 Inverse Variation
(Refer to Book 4B Ch9 p. 9.19 – 9.31)
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Key Points
k
1. If y varies inversely as x, then xy = k or y  , where k ≠ 0. k is called the variation constant.
x
1
In symbols, we write y  .
x
k
2. The graph of y  , where k ≠ 0, is a curve.
x
e.g.

1. The following table shows some sets of corresponding values of y and x.

y 5 10 15 20 25
x 30 15 10 7.5 6
x
y
xy

(a) (i) Complete the table above.

(ii) What type of variation is the relation between x and y? Explain your answer.
(b) Find the value of x when y = 75.
Solution
(a) (ii)

(b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

2. It is given that y3 is inversely proportional to x2, where x and y are positive. When x = 3, y = 2.
(a) Find an equation connecting x and y.
(b) Find the values of
(i) y when x = 24, (ii) x when y = 8.
Solution
(a)

(b) (i) (ii)

1
3. It is given that (y + 3) varies inversely as x , where x is positive. When x  , y = 12.
9
1
(a) Express y in terms of x. (b) Find the value of y when x  .
16
Solution
(a) (b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

1
4. Given that m  , if n is increased to 4 times its original value, find the percentage change
n
in m.
Solution

1
5. It is given that p varies inversely as the square of q. When q  , p = 108.
3
(a) Express p in terms of q.
(b) Find the value of q when p = 96q.
(c) If q is increased by 12%, find the percentage change in p.
(Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.)
Solution
(a) (b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

(c)

6. The time (T days) required to complete a decoration job is inversely proportional to the
number of workers (n). A designer estimates that he needs 9 workers to complete the job in
14 days. If he is asked to complete the same job in 6 days, find the minimum additional
number of workers he has to employ.
Solution

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

7. In a small town, the retail price ($p) of a bottle of milk varies inversely as the cube root of the
number of cows (n) in the town. Initially, the retail price is $10 and there are 8 cows in the
town.
(a) Find an equation connecting p and n.
(b) Find the number of cows in the town when the retail price is $4.
(c) If the number of cows in the town is decreased by 27.1%, find the percentage change in
the retail price.
(Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.)
Solution
(a)

(b)

(c)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

Basic
Worksheet 9.3 Joint Variation
(Refer to Book 4B Ch9 p. 9.32 – 9.42)
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Key Points
When a quantity varies directly as the product of two or more quantities, such relation among these quantities is
called a joint variation. In fact, some joint variations also involve inverse variation.
e.g. (a) If z varies jointly as x and y, then z = kxy, where k ≠ 0. In symbols, we write z  xy .

kx x
(b) If z varies directly as x and inversely as y, then z  , where k ≠ 0. In symbols, we write z  .
y y

1. Write an equation with a variation constant k to represent each of the following statements.

Equation
(a) y varies jointly as w and x2.
(b) a varies jointly as c and the square of b.
(c) w varies directly as u3 and inversely as v.
(d) g is directly proportional to m and inversely
proportional to r2.
(e) The area (A cm2) of a triangle varies jointly as its
height (h cm) and base length (l cm).

2. It is given that z varies jointly as x and y3, and z = 8 when x = 2 and y = 1.

(a) Express z in terms of x and y.
(b) Find the value of x when z = 96 and y = 2.
Solution
(a) ∵ z varies jointly as x and y3.
∴ ( )  k( )( ) , where k  0

By substituting x = 2, y = 1 and z = 8 into the equation, we have

(b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

3. It is given that z varies directly as x and inversely as y, and z = 10 when x = 16 and y = 2.

(a) Find an equation connecting x, y and z.
(b) Find the value of z when x = 64 and y = 10.
Solution
(a)

(b)

4. Complete the following tables.

(a) x varies jointly as y and z.

x 24 48 9

y 2 4 8

1
z 4 3
6

(b) a is directly proportional to b and inversely proportional to c.

1
a 8 2
12
1
b 4 3
2

c 2 3 6

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

5. It is given that u varies directly as v and inversely as the square of w. Find the percentage
change in u in each of the following cases.
(a) v is increased by 21% and w is increased by 10%.
(b) v is decreased by 20% and w is increased by 30%.
(Give your answers correct to 3 significant figures if necessary.)
Solution
(a) (b)

6. The time (t hours) required to clean up an exhibition site varies directly as the area A (in m2) of
the exhibition site and inversely as the number of workers (n). If 6 workers can clean up an
exhibition site of area 48 m2 in 4 hours, find
(a) an equation connecting A, n and t,
(b) the number of hours required for 8 workers to clean up an exhibition site with area 72 m2.
Solution
(a) (b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

Enhanced
Worksheet 9.3 Joint Variation
(Refer to Book 4B Ch9 p. 9.32 – 9.42)
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Key Points
When a quantity varies directly as the product of two or more quantities, such relation among these quantities is
called a joint variation. In fact, some joint variations also involve inverse variation.
e.g. (a) If z varies jointly as x and y, then z = kxy, where k ≠ 0. In symbols, we write z  xy .

kx x
(b) If z varies directly as x and inversely as y, then z  , where k ≠ 0. In symbols, we write z  .
y y

1. If z varies jointly as x 2 and y 3 , and z = 72 when x = 6 and y = 2, find

(a) an equation connecting x, y and z,
1
(b) the value of z when x  and y = 6.
3
Solution
(a)

(b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

2. It is given that z varies directly as the cube of x and inversely as the square of y, and z = 3
1
when x = –3 and y  .
3
(a) Express z in terms of y and x.
(b) Find the value(s) of y when z = 4 and x = –9.
Solution
(a) (b)

3
3. It is given that m varies directly as a and b2, and inversely as q , and m = when a = 6,
2
b = 3 and q = 144.
(a) Find the equation connecting a, b, m and q.
(b) Find the value of a when b = 4, q = 4 and m = 32.
Solution
(a) (b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

4. It is given that z varies directly as the square of y and inversely as the cube root of x. Determine
whether each of the following is a constant. Explain your answer.
y6 3
xz
(a) (b)
xz 3 y
Solution
(a) (b)

1
5. It is given that y varies directly as x2 and inversely as z, and y = when x = 1 and z = 3.
2
(a) Find an equation connecting x, y and z.
(b) If x remains unchanged and y is increased by 25%, find the percentage change in z.
Solution
(a) (b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

6. It is given that the volume (V cm3) of a cylinder varies jointly as the height (h cm) and the
square of the base radius (r cm), find the percentage change in V when h is doubled and r is
halved.
Solution

7. An object moving in a circular path requires a force to maintain its motion. This force
(F units) varies directly as the mass (m kg) and the square of the speed (V km/h) of the object,
and inversely as the radius (r m) of the circular path. An object weighing 72 kg requires a
force of 392 units when travelling at 28 km/h on a circular path of radius 12 m.
(a) What force would be required by an object weighing 42 kg travelling at 24 km/h on a
circular path of radius 8 m?
(b) Suppose the radius of the path and the mass of the object are fixed. Find the percentage
change in the force required if the speed of the object is doubled.
Solution
(a) (b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

Basic
Worksheet 9.4 Partial Variation
(Refer to Book 4B Ch9 p. 9.42 – 9.57)
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Key Points
When a quantity is the sum of two or more parts, where some of the parts may be constants, while other part(s) vary
with other quantity/quantities, such relation is called a partial variation.
e.g. (a) If z is partly constant and partly varies directly as x, then z  k1  k 2 x , where k1 , k 2  0 .

k1
(b) If z partly varies inversely as x and partly varies directly as y, then z   k 2 y , where k1 , k 2  0 .
x

1. Write an equation with k1 and k2 as the constants/variation constants to represent each of the
following statements.

Equation
(a) y is partly constant and partly varies directly as x2.
(b) H is partly constant and partly varies inversely as m .
(c) b partly varies directly as the square root of h and
partly varies directly as u3.
(d) P partly varies directly as the square of v and partly
varies inversely as h2.
(e) The monthly mobile phone charge ($F) is the sum of
two parts. One part varies directly as the airtime used
(t minutes), while the other part varies directly as the
data usage (n GB).

2. It is given that y is partly constant and partly varies directly as x. When x = 3, y = 19; when
x = 4, y = 25. Find an equation connecting x and y.
Solution
∵ y is partly constant and partly varies directly as x.
∴ ( )  k1  k 2 ( ) , where k1 , k 2  0
By substituting x = 3 and y = 19 into the equation, we have

By substituting x = 4 and y = 25 into the equation, we have

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

3. It is given that h is partly constant and partly varies inversely as m, and h = 5 when m = 5; h = 8
when m = 2.
(a) Express h in terms of m.
(b) Find the values of
(i) h when m = 10, (ii) m when h = 13.
Solution
(a)

(b) (i) (ii)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

4. It is given that p partly varies directly as q and partly varies directly as q2, and p = 51 when
q = 3; p = 259 when q = 7.
(a) Find an equation connecting p and q.
(b) Find the value of p when q = 10.
Solution
(a) (b)

5. It is given that n partly varies directly as the square of x and partly varies inversely as the
square root of y, and n = 8 when x = –1 and y = 16; n = 110 when x = 6 and y = 100.
(a) Find an equation connecting n, x and y.
(b) Find the values of
(i) n when x = –2 and y = 25, (ii) y when n = 49 and x = 4.
Solution
(a)

(b) (i) (ii)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

6. The figure shows the graph of y against x. Given that

y is partly constant and partly varies directly as x. Find
(a) an equation connecting x and y,
(b) (i) the value of y when x = 10.
(ii) the value of x when y = 86.
Solution
(a) ∵ y is partly constant and partly varies directly as x.
∴ ( )  k1  k 2 ( ) , where k1 , k 2  0
From the graph, y = 16 when x = ( ), we have

From the graph, y = 30 when x = ( ), we have

(b) (i) (ii)

7. The IDD service charge ($C) is partly constant and partly varies directly as the airtime used
(m minutes). When the airtime used is 100 minutes, the charge is $55. When the airtime used is
120 minutes, the charge is $63.
(a) Find an equation connecting C and m.
(b) What will be the charge if the airtime used is 200 minutes?
Solution
(a) (b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

Enhanced
Worksheet 9.4 Partial Variation
(Refer to Book 4B Ch9 p. 9.42 – 9.57)
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Key Points
When a quantity is the sum of two or more parts, where some of the parts may be constants, while other part(s) vary
with other quantity/quantities, such relation is called a partial variation.
e.g. (a) If z is partly constant and partly varies directly as x, then z  k1  k 2 x , where k1 , k 2  0 .

k1
(b) If z partly varies inversely as x and partly varies directly as y, then z   k 2 y , where k1 , k 2  0 .
x

1. It is given that z is partly constant and partly varies directly as x2, and z = 35 when x = 4;
z = 75 when x = 6.
(a) Find an equation connecting x and z.
(b) Find the value(s) of x when z = 7x.
Solution
(a)

(b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

2. It is given that z partly varies directly as x and partly varies directly as y, and z = 19 when
x = 5 and y = 1; z = 38 when x = 2 and y = 8.
(a) Express z in terms of x and y.
(b) If x = 3y, find y : z.
(c) If x ≥ 1 and y ≥ 1, find the minimum value of z.
Solution
(a)

(b)

(c)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

3. It is given that y partly varies directly as x and partly varies directly as x2, and y = 4 when
x = 1; y = 18 when x = 3.
(a) Find an equation connecting x and y.
(b) Find the value(s) of x when y = 10.
NF (c) Express y in the form a( x  b) 2  c . Hence, find the minimum value of y.
Solution
(a) (b)

(c)

4. E is the sum of two parts. One part varies directly as the square of v, and the other part varies
jointly as m and v. When v = 1 and m = 4, E = 18. When v = –1 and m = 2, E = –6.
(a) Express E in terms of v and m.
(b) Find the value of m when E = 16 and v = 4.
Solution
(a) (b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

5. s is the sum of two parts. One part varies directly as t, and the other part varies directly as the
square of t. The following table shows some sets of corresponding values of s and t.

s 0 35 60 75 80
t 0 1 2 3 4

(a) Find an equation connecting s and t.

(b) Find the value(s) of t when s = 68.75.
(c) Jeff claims that the value of s must increase when t increases. Do you agree? Explain your
answer.
Solution
(a) (b)

(c)

6. The rent ($R) of an apartment partly varies directly as the area (A m2) of the apartment and
partly varies inversely as the age (x years) of the building. The rent is $8880 when the area is
45 m2 and the age of the building is 5 years. The rent is $7585 when the area is 38 m2 and the
age of the building is 3 years.
(a) Express R in terms of A and x.
(b) Suppose the monthly income of James is $15 000 and he can spend at most half of his
income on rent. James is considering to rent an apartment with area of 40 m2 in a 7-year
building. Is the rent within his budget? Explain your answer.

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

Solution
(a) (b)

7. The amount of petrol (P L) used by a car in a journey partly varies directly as the distance
travelled (s km), and partly varies directly as the square root of the average speed (v km/h).
It is given that the amount of petrol used is 24 L when the distance travelled is 580 km and the
average speed is 121 km/h, and the amount of petrol used is 20 L when the distance travelled is
520 km and the average speed is 100 km/h.
(a) Express P in terms of s and v.
(b) Suppose the distance between town A and town B is 500 km and the amount of petrol left
in Jerry’s car is 26 L. Could Jerry travel to town B from town A within 6 hours? Explain
your answer.
Solution
(a) (b)

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4B Section Worksheets 9 Variations

8. The daily expenditure ($E) of running a restaurant

is the sum of two parts. One part is the rent, which
is a constant. The other part varies directly as the
number of hours of operation in a day (t). The
graph shows the relation between E and t.
(a) Express E in terms of t.
(b) Find the daily expenditure of running the
restaurant for 12 hours.
(c) If the daily expenditure cannot exceed $20 000, at most how many hours can the
restaurant be operated per day?
Solution
(a)

(b)

(c)

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