R Direct and Inverse Variations - Reading Lesson

$32

$2

If we are paid by the hour, the more hours we work

the more we are paid.  This is an example of direct

proportion.  Our salary would be figured as y=kx

where k is the constant of proportionality or our

hourly rate.  If we make $8 per hour, it becomes

y=$8x.  x would be the number of hours worked.  y

would be our pay.   If we worked 4 hours, we would

be paid y = $8(4) or...

$40

$4

110 miles

200 miles

If we make $8 per hour, it becomes y=$8x.  x would

 be the number of hours worked.  If we worked 4

hours, we would be paid $8 x 4 or $32.

 

Directly proportional y = kx works for many situations

such as if we are traveling 55 m.p.h. and have traveled

two hours we have gone 110 miles.  What would we

have gone after 4 hours?

 y = kx where k equals 55 m.p.h for this problem.

  So y = 55(4)...

55 miles

220 miles

280 miles

70 miles

Traveling 55 m.p.h.  what would we have gone after 4

hours?  55 m.p.h. is the constant.  So 55 x 4 = 220.

 

The constant of proportionality (rate we are traveling

per hour) changes in different problems.  If we travel

70 miles per hour, what would we travel in 3 hours?

 

210 miles

220 miles

xy = k

If we travel 70 miles per hour, what would we travel in

3 hours?  70 x 3 = 210 miles.

 

The constant of porportionally stays the same for the

problem such as miles per hour or dollars per hour. 

The formula for direct variation is y = kx.  What is the

formula for direct variation?

 

y = kx

y =

x
k

y= $55k

 The formula for direct variation is y = kx. 

 

If it costs $55 per day to rent a car, what is the formula

to solve?

 

y = $55x

$55 = kx

$55

If it costs $55 per day to rent a car, what is the formula

to solve?  $55 is the constant of proportionality.  So

the formula is y= $55x. 

 

How much would 3 days be?

 

$110

$165

$10

How much would 3 days be?  y = $55x; therefore

y = $55 x 3; $165.

 

Inverse variation would be if we agreed to do a job for

a set price.  The quicker we get done, the more money 

we make per the hour.  An example would be raking a

yard for $50.  If it only takes us one hour, we make

$50 per hour.  If it takes two hours, we make $25 per

hour.  If it takes four hours, how much would we

make per hour?

 

$20

$15

$12.50

y = kx

What if it takes four hours?  $50 ÷ 4 = $12.50.

 

 

 

 

Find the formula for inverse variation.  The formula for

 inverse variation is xy = k or ....

y =
k
x

kx = y

 xy = k

xk = y

y =

Find the formula for inverse variation.  The formula for inverse variation is xy = k  or

 

 

 

If we know the area of a rectangle but not the length

and width, the area would be the k or constant of

proportionality.  So if the area is 24 units squared,

which formula is correct?

y =
24
x
x
k

y =

24
x

y = 24x

3 =

If the area is 24 units squared, which formula is

correct?  The area is constant of proportionality so it

replaces k in the formula xy = k or

 

 

 

 

If the area is 24 square units and the length is 8, what

 is the width?

y =
x
k
24

8

3 =

24

8

3 = 24(8)

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