DIRECT AND INVERSE VARIATION
This unit is about direct and inverse relationships. Direct variation is a linear
function defined by an equation of the form y = kx when x is not equal to
zero. Inverse variation is a nonlinear function defined by an equation of the
form xy = k when x is not equal to zero and k is a nonzero real number
constant.
Direct Variation
Inverse Variation
Direct Variation
The variable y varies directly as x if there is a nonzero constant k such that y
= kx. The equation y = kx is called a direct variation equation and the
number k is called the constant of variation.
*There are many situations in which one quantity varies directly as another:
an employee’s wages vary directly to the number of hours worked
the amount of sales tax varies directly to the total price of the
merchandise
y varies directly to x
To find the constant of variation (k) and the direct-variation equation, use the
following steps.
1. Replace the x and y with the given values.
2. Solve for k.
3. Replace k in the direct variation equation.
Example 1: Find the constant of variation (k), and the direct-variation
equation, if y varies directly as x and y = –72 when x = –18.
Step #1: Replace x and y with the given values.
y = kx
−72 = k (−18) y=
−72, x = −18
Step #2 : Solve for k .
−72 k (−18)
= Divide both sides by − 18.
−18 −18
4=k
Step #3: Replace k in the direct variation equation.
y = kx
y = 4x
Example 2: Each day Michael roller blades for exercise. When
traveling at a constant rate, he travels 4 miles in about 20 minutes. At
this rate, how long will it take Michael to travel seven miles?
To solve:
First, find a direct variation equation that models Michael’s
distance as it varies with time using d = rt.
Distance (d) varies directly as (t) and rate (r) is the constant of
variation.
y = kx → d = rt
Step 1: Find the constant of variation (r).
d = rt
4 miles = r (20 minutes) d = 4 miles, t = 20 minutes
4 mi r (20 min)
= Divide both sides by 20 minutes.
20 min 20 min
4 mi 1 mi 1
=r = or mile per minute
20min 5min 5
Step 2: Write the direct variation equation.
1
=d rt=r
5
1
d= t
5
Now, use the direct variation equation to solve the problem.
Step 3: Apply the direct variation equation.
1
d= t
5
1
=7 = t Substitution (d 7 miles)
5
1
(5)7 = (5) t Multiply both sides by 5.
5
35 = t
Thus, at the rate of 4 miles in 20 minutes, it will take Michael 35
minutes to travel seven miles.
The function above is graphed below. Study the graph carefully. As t
increases, d increases.
For example:
When t is 5, d is 1.
When t increases to 10, d increases to 2.
When t increases to 35, d increases to 7.
d
t
*Note: the graph is linear.
*This graph was created on a graphing calculator, causing pixelation
of the straight line. Thus, a straight red line was added to show the
true appearance of the linear graph.
Inverse Variation
An inverse variation is a function that is defined by an equation in the
following form: xy = k where k is a nonzero real-number constant.
*There are many situations in which one quantity varies indirectly as
another:
as the rate increases, the time decreases when traveling a set distance.
the volume of a gas in a container decreases as the pressure increases
and the temperature remains constant.
Consider the following expressions:
xy = k
xy k
= Divide both sides by x.
x x
k
y=
x
1 k 1
y= k⋅ Another way to write is k ⋅ .
x x x
1
Thus, y is directly proportional to the multiplicative inverse of x, .
x
y varies inversely to x
Example: Examine the following function: = =
xy 30 (k 30) . What
are some values for y that correspond to x?
The given function is graphed below. Study the graph carefully. As x
increases, y decreases.
30 1
xy =
30 → y= → y =⋅30
x x
For example:
When x is 1, y is 30…(1, 30) .
When x increases to 2, y decreases to 15…(2, 15).
When x increases to 10, y decreases to 3…(3, 10).
When x increases to 20, y decreases to 1 1/2…(20, 1.5).
*Note: the graph is nonlinear.