VARIATION
There are real-world situations where two variables are related to each other such that if one of the
quantities increases or decreases, the other quantity also increases or decreases in specific ways. In
mathematics, this concept is called variation.
When a diver jumps from a diving board, for example, the entry of the diver into the water creates a
circular ripple whose circumference and diameter are always increasing. The formula 𝐶 = 𝜋𝑑 expresses this
relationship. It is important to note that, as d increases, C also increases.
In this chapter, we will tackle four types of variation: DIRECT variation, INVERSE variation, JOINT
variation and COMBINED variation.
DIRECT VARIATION
A motorist drives along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) at a constant speed of 80 kilometers per
hour. How far will he go in 2 hours? in 3 ½ hours? in 5 hours? in t hours?
The distance traveled by the motorist and the period of time spent are shown in the table below.
Time
1 2 3 3½ 4 5 t
(in hours)
Distance
80 2(80) = 160 3(80) = 240 3½(80) = 280 4(80) = 320 5(80) = 400 80t
(in kilometers)
PREREQUISITE CONCEPT: Ratio and Proportion
To understand the relation that exists in the situation above, let us first recall that a proportion is an
2 8
equality of two ratios. In the proportion = or 2: 3 = 8: 12, the outer terms 2 and 12 are the extremes, the
3 12
inner terms 3 and 8 are the means. By the principle of proportion, the product of the means is equal to the
product of the extremes.
means
2: 3 = 8: 12 3(8) = 24 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2(12) = 24 → 3(8) = 2(12)
extremes
Going back to the given problem and table, expressed in proportions, we obtain
𝟏: 𝟖𝟎 = 𝟐: 𝟏𝟔𝟎 → 1(160) = 2(80) 𝟐: 𝟏𝟔𝟎 = 𝟓: 𝟒𝟎𝟎 → 2(400) = 5(160)
Notice that the longer the time, the farther the distance. We can say that the distance (d) varies directly
as the time (t).
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 80 160 240 280 320 400 80𝑡
= = = = = = = = 80
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 1 2 3 1 4 5 𝑡
32
This shows that the ratio of any specific pair of corresponding values of distance to time is constant.
This relationship between distance and time can be stated as “The distance traveled is directly
proportional to time.” In symbols, 𝑑 = 𝑘𝑡, where d is the distance traveled, t is the time, and k is the constant
of proportionality or variation. Note that the value of k in the example is 80. Thus, 𝑑 = 80𝑡.
To find the distance traveled in 12 hrs, we use the equation 𝑑 = 80𝑡. Therefore, 𝑑 = 80(12) = 960 𝑘𝑚.
DEFINITION: DIRECT VARIATION
𝑦
Quantity y varies directly as quantity x or y is directly proportional to x, if and only if 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥 → 𝑘 = 𝑥,
where k is the constant of variation, or constant of proportionality.
Statements can be translated into equations representing the direct variation. Study other examples below.
STATEMENT EQUATION
P varies directly as quantity Q. 𝑃 = 𝑘𝑄
The cost (c) of meat varies directly as the number (n) of kilos bought. 𝑐 = 𝑘𝑛
The mass (m) of an athlete is directly proportional to his height (h). 𝑚 = 𝑘ℎ
The area A of a square varies directly as the square of its side s. 𝐴 = 𝑘𝑠 2
y is directly proportional to the cube root of x. 3
𝑦 = 𝑘 √𝑥
In each of the following, the values of x and y are given, and y varies directly as x. Find the constant of variation.
1) y = 20 when x = 4 → 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥 → 20 = 𝑘 (4) → 20 = 4𝑘 → 𝒌 = 𝟓
2) y = 36 when x = 12 → 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥 → 36 = 𝑘 (12) → 36 = 12𝑘 → 𝒌 = 𝟑
1 5
3) y = 70 when x = 2 ½ → 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥 → 70 = 𝑘 (2 2) → 70 = 2 𝑘 → 𝒌 = 𝟐𝟖
In each of the following, the values of k and x are given, and y varies directly as x. Find the value of y.
1) k = 10 and x = 20 → 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥 = 10(20) = 𝟐𝟎𝟎
3
2) k = ¾ and x = 120 → 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥 = 4 (120) = 𝟗𝟎
1
3) k = 15 and x = 1/3 → 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥 = 15 (3) = 𝟓
SAMPLE PROBLEMS INVOLVING DIRECT VARIATION
4
1) The weight (W) of a slab of wood varies directly with its surface area (S). If 5 𝑚2 of that wood weighs
220 grams, what is the weight of a slab of wood with a surface area of 2 𝑚2 ?
Solution: The relation between the weight and the surface area of the material is described by
𝑊 = 𝑘𝑆
4
Since a slab of wood with a surface area of 5 𝑚2 weighs 220 g, then
4 5 4 5
𝑊 = 𝑘𝑆 → 220 = 𝑘 ( ) → ( ) [220 = 𝑘] ( ) → 𝑘 = 275
5 4 5 4
Therefore, 𝑊 = 275𝑆. Substituting S = 2 and solve for W, we have
𝑊 = 275𝑆 = 275(2) = 𝟓𝟓𝟎 𝒈
2) The length (L) of a spring is directly proportional to the force (f) applied to it. If a force of 4 kg stretches
a spring of 8 cm, how much force is necessary to stretch the same spring to 25 cm?
Solution: The relation between the length (L) of the spring and the force applied (f) can be written as:
𝐿 = 𝑘𝑓
If 4 kg of force is applied, the length stretches to 8 cm. Hence,
8 4𝑘
𝐿 = 𝑘𝑓 → 8 = 𝑘 (4) → = → 𝑘 = 2 → 𝐿 = 2𝑓
4 4
Substitute L = 25 and solve for f.
25 2𝑓
𝐿 = 2𝑓 → 25 = 2𝑓 → = → 𝒇 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟓 𝒌𝒈
2 2
3) The price P of diamond varies directly as the square of its weight w. If the price of 1.5 gram diamond is
P4,500, find the price of a 3.5 gram diamond.
Solution: Since P varies directly as the square of w, then
𝑃 = 𝑘𝑤 2
4500 = 𝑘 (1.5)2 → 4500 = 2.25𝑘 → 𝑘 = 2000
Therefore, 𝑃 = 2000𝑤 2 . Substituting w = 3.5, we obtain
𝑃 = 2000𝑤 2 = 2000(3.5)2 = 2000(12.25) = 𝑷𝟐𝟒, 𝟓𝟎𝟎. 𝟎𝟎
Try These!!!
1) The mass of a substance is directly proportional to its volume. If a block with a volume of 20 cubic
centimeters has a mass of 100 grams, what is the mass of a block with volume of 14 𝑐𝑚3 ?
2) The power P in an electric circuit varies directly as the square of the current I. If a 60-volt power has a
current of 4 amperes, how many volts does a 10-ampere current have?
INVERSE VARIATION
In this type of variation, if one quantity increases, the other quantity decreases, and vice versa. To define,
𝑘
quantity y varies inversely as quantity x, or y is inversely proportional to x if and only if 𝑦 = 𝑥 → 𝑘 = 𝑥𝑦, where
k is the constant of variation or constant of proportionality.
Statements can be translated into equations representing the inverse variation. Study other examples below.
STATEMENT EQUATION
𝑘
P varies inversely as quantity Q. 𝑃=
𝑄
𝑘
The volume V of a gas at a constant temperature varies inversely as the pressure P. 𝑉=
𝑃
𝑘
m is inversely proportional to the cube of n. 𝑚= 3
𝑛
SAMPLE PROBLEMS INVOLVING INVERSE VARIATION
1) The rate of vibration (v) of a string under constant tension varies inversely as the length (l) of the string.
If a string 30 cm long vibrates 180 times per second, what is the rate of vibration of a string 45 cm
long?
Solution: The rate of vibration (v) is inversely proportional to the length (l). Hence, we obtain the equation
𝑘
𝑣=
𝑙
Substituting the given values, we have
𝑘
180 = → 𝑘 = 180(30) = 5400
30
5400
Therefore, 𝑣 = . Solving for v when l = 45, we get
𝑙
5400 5400
𝑣= = = 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅
𝑙 45
2) The length of a rectangle with constant area varies inversely as its width. The length is 15 cm when the
width is 10 cm. With the same area, what is the width of a rectangle whose length is 12 cm?
Solution: Since length is inversely proportional to width, then
𝑘
𝑙=
𝑤
𝑘
15 = → 𝑘 = 15(10) = 150
10
150
Therefore, 𝑙 = 𝑤 . Solving for w if l = 12, we get
150 150 12𝑤 150
𝑙= → 12 = → 12𝑤 = 150 → = = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟓 𝒄𝒎
𝑤 𝑤 12 12
Try These!!!
1) At 58℃ temperature, a block of ice totally melts in 6 hours. If the number of hours it takes for a block
of ice to melt varies inversely as the temperature, how long will it take the same block of ice to melt at
48℃?
2) If y varies inversely as the square root of x, and y = 10 when x = 16, find:
a. the value of y when x = 25.
b. the value of x when y = 4.