Inverse Variation Equation

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 131 views

Inverse variation is a relationship between two variables where one variable increases as the other decreases, and vice versa. This relationship can be represented by the equation $y = \frac{k}{x}$ , where $y$ and $x$ are the variables, and $k$ is a constant.

The Problem

We are given that $y$ varies inversely with $x$ , and when $x = 9$ , $y = 2$ . We need to find the value of $y$ when $x = 3$ .

Step 1: Write the Inverse Variation Equation

Since $y$ varies inversely with $x$ , we can write the equation as $y = \frac{k}{x}$ .

Step 2: Find the Value of $k$

We are given that when $x = 9$ , $y = 2$ . We can substitute these values into the equation to find the value of $k$ .

$2 = \frac{k}{9}$

To solve for $k$ , we can multiply both sides of the equation by 9.

$k = 2 \times 9$ $k = 18$

Step 3: Write the Inverse Variation Equation with the Value of $k$

Now that we have found the value of $k$ , we can write the inverse variation equation as:

$y = \frac{18}{x}$

Step 4: Find the Value of $y$ when $x = 3$

We can substitute $x = 3$ into the equation to find the value of $y$ .

$y = \frac{18}{3}$ $y = 6$

Conclusion

In this article, we have learned how to write and solve an inverse variation equation to find the value of $y$ when $x = 3$ . We have used the given information that $y$ varies inversely with $x$ and when $x = 9$ , $y = 2$ to find the value of $k$ and then write the inverse variation equation. Finally, we have substituted $x = 3$ into the equation to find the value of $y$ .

Inverse Variation Equation

$y = \frac{k}{x}$

Example

Find the value of $y$ when $x = 3$ if $y$ varies inversely with $x$ and when $x = 9$ , $y = 2$ .

Solution

Write the inverse variation equation: $y = \frac{k}{x}$
Find the value of $k$ : $k = 2 \times 9$ , $k = 18$
Write the inverse variation equation with the value of $k$ : $y = \frac{18}{x}$
Find the value of $y$ when $x = 3$ : $y = \frac{18}{3}$ , $y = 6$

Inverse Variation Formula

$y = \frac{k}{x}$

Inverse Variation Table

$x$	$y$
9	2
3	6

Inverse Variation Graph

A graph of the inverse variation equation is a hyperbola that opens along the x-axis.

Inverse Variation Real-World Applications

Inverse variation is used in many real-world applications, such as:

Physics: Inverse variation is used to describe the relationship between the force of gravity and the distance between two objects.
Engineering: Inverse variation is used to describe the relationship between the voltage and current in an electrical circuit.
Economics: Inverse variation is used to describe the relationship between the price of a good and the quantity demanded.

Inverse Variation Practice Problems

Find the value of $y$ when $x = 4$ if $y$ varies inversely with $x$ and when $x = 8$ , $y = 3$ .
Find the value of $x$ when $y = 5$ if $y$ varies inversely with $x$ and when $x = 2$ , $y = 10$ .
Find the value of $y$ when $x = 6$ if $y$ varies inversely with $x$ and when $x = 12$ , $y = 2$ .

Inverse Variation Solutions

$y = \frac{k}{x}$ , $k = 3 \times 8$ , $k = 24$ , $y = \frac{24}{4}$ , $y = 6$
$y = \frac{k}{x}$ , $k = 10 \times 2$ , $k = 20$ , $x = \frac{20}{5}$ , $x = 4$
$y = \frac{k}{x}$ , $k = 2 \times 12$ , $k = 24$ , $y = \frac{24}{6}$ , $y = 4$
Inverse Variation Q&A =========================

Q: What is inverse variation?

A: Inverse variation is a relationship between two variables where one variable increases as the other decreases, and vice versa. This relationship can be represented by the equation $y = \frac{k}{x}$ , where $y$ and $x$ are the variables, and $k$ is a constant.

Q: How do I write an inverse variation equation?

A: To write an inverse variation equation, you need to know the relationship between the two variables. If $y$ varies inversely with $x$ , you can write the equation as $y = \frac{k}{x}$ .

Q: How do I find the value of $k$ in an inverse variation equation?

A: To find the value of $k$ , you need to know the values of $x$ and $y$ for a specific point on the graph. You can substitute these values into the equation to solve for $k$ .

Q: What is the difference between direct and inverse variation?

A: Direct variation is a relationship between two variables where one variable increases as the other increases, and vice versa. Inverse variation is a relationship between two variables where one variable increases as the other decreases, and vice versa.

Q: How do I graph an inverse variation equation?

A: To graph an inverse variation equation, you need to know the values of $x$ and $y$ for a specific point on the graph. You can plot these points on a coordinate plane and draw a hyperbola that opens along the x-axis.

Q: What are some real-world applications of inverse variation?

A: Inverse variation is used in many real-world applications, such as:

Physics: Inverse variation is used to describe the relationship between the force of gravity and the distance between two objects.
Engineering: Inverse variation is used to describe the relationship between the voltage and current in an electrical circuit.
Economics: Inverse variation is used to describe the relationship between the price of a good and the quantity demanded.

Q: How do I solve an inverse variation problem?

A: To solve an inverse variation problem, you need to follow these steps:

Write the inverse variation equation.
Find the value of $k$ .
Substitute the value of $k$ into the equation.
Solve for the unknown variable.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when working with inverse variation?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when working with inverse variation include:

Not using the correct equation.
Not finding the value of $k$ correctly.
Not substituting the value of $k$ into the equation correctly.
Not solving for the unknown variable correctly.

Q: How do I check my work when solving an inverse variation problem?

A: To check your work when solving an inverse variation problem, you need to:

Verify that the equation is correct.
Verify that the value of $k$ is correct.
Verify that the equation is solved correctly.
Verify that the answer is reasonable.

Q: What are some tips for working with inverse variation?

A: Some tips for working with inverse variation include:

Make sure to use the correct equation.
Make sure to find the value of $k$ correctly.
Make sure to substitute the value of $k$ into the equation correctly.
Make sure to solve for the unknown variable correctly.
Make sure to check your work carefully.

Inverse Variation Practice Problems

Find the value of $y$ when $x = 4$ if $y$ varies inversely with $x$ and when $x = 8$ , $y = 3$ .
Find the value of $x$ when $y = 5$ if $y$ varies inversely with $x$ and when $x = 2$ , $y = 10$ .
Find the value of $y$ when $x = 6$ if $y$ varies inversely with $x$ and when $x = 12$ , $y = 2$ .

Inverse Variation Solutions

$y = \frac{k}{x}$ , $k = 3 \times 8$ , $k = 24$ , $y = \frac{24}{4}$ , $y = 6$
$y = \frac{k}{x}$ , $k = 10 \times 2$ , $k = 20$ , $x = \frac{20}{5}$ , $x = 4$
$y = \frac{k}{x}$ , $k = 2 \times 12$ , $k = 24$ , $y = \frac{24}{6}$ , $y = 4$