3.9 Modeling using variation  (Page 3/14)

Solving problems involving joint variation

Many situations are more complicated than a basic direct variation or inverse variation model. One variable often depends on multiple other variables. When a variable is dependent on the product or quotient of two or more variables, this is called joint variation    . For example, the cost of busing students for each school trip varies with the number of students attending and the distance from the school. The variable $c,$ cost, varies jointly with the number of students, $n,$ and the distance, $d.$

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Key equations

Key concepts

• A relationship where one quantity is a constant multiplied by another quantity is called direct variation. See [link] .
• Two variables that are directly proportional to one another will have a constant ratio.
• A relationship where one quantity is a constant divided by another quantity is called inverse variation. See [link] .
• Two variables that are inversely proportional to one another will have a constant multiple. See [link] .
• In many problems, a variable varies directly or inversely with multiple variables. We call this type of relationship joint variation. See [link] .

Section exercises

Verbal

Algebraic

For the following exercises, write an equation describing the relationship of the given variables.