# 5.8 Modeling using variation  (Page 3/14)

 Page 3 / 14

A quantity $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ varies inversely with the square of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ If $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y=8\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ when $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x=3,\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ find $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ when $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is 4.

$\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\frac{9}{2}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$

## 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 $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}c,$ cost, varies jointly with the number of students, $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}n,$ and the distance, $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}d.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$

## Joint variation

Joint variation occurs when a variable varies directly or inversely with multiple variables.

For instance, if $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ varies directly with both $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}z,\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ we have $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x=kyz.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ If $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ varies directly with $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and inversely with $z,$ we have $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x=\frac{ky}{z}.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ Notice that we only use one constant in a joint variation equation.

## Solving problems involving joint variation

A quantity $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ varies directly with the square of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and inversely with the cube root of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}z.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ If $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x=6\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ when $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y=2\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}z=8,\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ find $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ when $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y=1\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}z=27.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$

Begin by writing an equation to show the relationship between the variables.

$x=\frac{k{y}^{2}}{\sqrt[3]{z}}$

Substitute $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x=6,\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ $y=2,\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}z=8\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ to find the value of the constant $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}k.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$

$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill 6& =& \frac{k{2}^{2}}{\sqrt[3]{8}}\hfill \\ \hfill 6& =& \frac{4k}{2}\hfill \\ \hfill 3& =& k\hfill \end{array}$

Now we can substitute the value of the constant into the equation for the relationship.

$x=\frac{3{y}^{2}}{\sqrt[3]{z}}$

To find $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ when $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y=1\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}z=27,\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ we will substitute values for $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}z\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ into our equation.

$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill x& =& \hfill \frac{3{\left(1\right)}^{2}}{\sqrt[3]{27}}\\ & =& 1\hfill \end{array}$

A quantity $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ varies directly with the square of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and inversely with $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}z.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ If $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x=40\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ when $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y=4\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}z=2,\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ find $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ when $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y=10\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}z=25.$

$\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x=20\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with direct and inverse variation.

Visit this website for additional practice questions from Learningpod.

## Key equations

 Direct variation Inverse variation

## 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] .

## Verbal

What is true of the appearance of graphs that reflect a direct variation between two variables?

The graph will have the appearance of a power function.

If two variables vary inversely, what will an equation representing their relationship look like?

Is there a limit to the number of variables that can vary jointly? Explain.

No. Multiple variables may jointly vary.

## Algebraic

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

the gradient function of a curve is 2x+4 and the curve passes through point (1,4) find the equation of the curve
1+cos²A/cos²A=2cosec²A-1
test for convergence the series 1+x/2+2!/9x3
a man walks up 200 meters along a straight road whose inclination is 30 degree.How high above the starting level is he?
100 meters
Kuldeep
Find that number sum and product of all the divisors of 360
Ajith
exponential series
Naveen
what is subgroup
Prove that: (2cos&+1)(2cos&-1)(2cos2&-1)=2cos4&+1
e power cos hyperbolic (x+iy)
10y
Michael
tan hyperbolic inverse (x+iy)=alpha +i bita
prove that cos(π/6-a)*cos(π/3+b)-sin(π/6-a)*sin(π/3+b)=sin(a-b)
why {2kπ} union {kπ}={kπ}?
why is {2kπ} union {kπ}={kπ}? when k belong to integer
Huy
if 9 sin theta + 40 cos theta = 41,prove that:41 cos theta = 41
what is complex numbers
Dua
Yes
ahmed
Thank you
Dua
give me treganamentry question
Solve 2cos x + 3sin x = 0.5