(Effective Alternative Secondary Education)

MATHEMATICS II
Y

MODULE 2
Inverse Variation

BUREAU OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

Department of Education
DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City
Module 2
Inverse Variation
 What this module is about

This module deals with the relation of two quantities where one value
increases as the other value decreases and vice versa. Inverse variation
concepts can also be used to solve problems in other fields of mathematics.

What you are expected to learn

1. identify relationship between quantities that are inverse variation.

2. find the constant of variation and the equation of relation.
3. apply the concept of proportionality.

How much do you know

A. Examine the tables of values and complete the sentence using the
word increases or decreases.

1. x 12 16 20 24
y 3 4 5 6
y _____________ as x ___________

2. m -3 -2 4 12
n -4 -6 -13 -14
n _____________ as m __________

3. L 1.0 0.4 0.2 0.1

M 0.32 0.80 1.60 3.20
M ____________ as L ___________

4. l 18 12 9
w 2 3 4
w____________ as l ____________

5. d 7 10 15 18 20
c 7 10 15 18 20
c ______________ as d ______________

2
 B. Determine if the following situations show inverse variation or not.

1. The number of hours to finish a job to the number of men

working.

2. The intensity of light from a bulb to the square of the distance

from the bulb.

3. Air pressure to its altitude.

4. Family expenses as to the number of children.

5. The area of quadrilateral to the length of its side.

What you will do

Lesson 1

Inverse Variation

A car is traveling a distance of 10 km at a speed of 10 km/hr, and it will

1
take one hour to finish the trip. At 30 km/hr, it will take hr to finish the trip and
3
so on. This determines a set of pairs of numbers, all having the same product:
1 1 1
(10,1), (20, ), (30, ), (40, ) and so on.
2 3 4

In table form the relation between the speed r and the time of traveling t is
shown:

r 10 20 30 40
1 1 1
t 1
2 3 4

Note that as the first number gets larger, the second number gets smaller.

Inverse variation occurs whenever a situation produces pairs of numbers,

whose product is constant. Here, the time varies inversely as the speed:

rt  10 (a constant)

3
 k
The statement, “ y is inversely proportional to x ,” translates to y  ,
x
where k is the proportionality constant or constant of variation.

Examples:

1. Find the equation and solve for k: y varies inversely as x and y  6 when
x  18 .

k
Solution: The relation y varies inversely as x translates to y  . Substitute
x
the values to find k:

k
y
x
k
6
18
k  (6)(18)
k  108

108
The equation of variation: y 
x

2. Find the constant of variation and the equation of the variation: y varies
inversely as x , given that y  24 and x  0.3 .

k
Solution: The relation y varies inversely as x translates to y  . Substitute
x
the values to find k:

k
y
x
k
24 
0.3
k  (24)(0.3)
k  7.2

7.2
The constant of variation is 7.2 and the equation of variation is y 
x

4
3. y varies inversely as x. If y  2 when x  4 , find the value of x when y  1 .

k
Solution: The relation y varies inversely as x translates to y  . Substitute
x
the values to find k:

k
y
x
k
2
4
k  (2)(4)
k 8

8
The constant of variation is 8, the equation of variation is y 
x

To find x when y  1 :

8
y
x
8
1
x
x  (8)(1)
x8

4. If y varies inversely as x and y = 27 when x = 3, find y when x = 9.

k
Solution: The relation y varies inversely as x translates to y .
x
Substitute the values to find k:

k
y
x
k
27 
3
k  (27)(3)
k  81

5
 81
The constant of variation is 8, the equation of variation is y 
x
To find y when x  9 :

81
y
x
81
y
9
y 9

5. An inverse variation is given by xy  k , where k is constant. If x  15 when

y  9:
a) what is the value of k ?
b) find the value of y when x  6 .

Solution:

a) xy  k
(15)(9)  k by substitution
k  135

k
b) since xy  k , then y 
x

135
The equation of the variation is y 
x

To find y when x  6 :

135
y
x

135
y
6
1
y  22
2

6. If y varies inversely as x and y = 4 when x = 9, find y when x =12.

6
 Consider again the equation of inverse variation: xy  k , k  0

If ( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 ) are any two solutions, then

x1 y1 = k equation (1)

x2 y2 = k equation (2)

x1 y2
Solving equations (1) and (2) for k gives x1 y1 = x2 y2 or 
x2 y1

Solution:
Let x1  9 , y1  4 , x2  12 , find y2

x1 y1 = x2 y2

(9)(4) = (12)( y2 ) by substitution

36
y2 
12
y2  3

Then y = 3 when x = 12.

7. If y varies inversely as x and y = 10 when x = 2, find y when x = 10.

You may choose from two solutions:

Solution 1: First Set the relation, and then find the constant of variation k .

xy  k
(2)(10)  k
k  20
20
The equation of variation is y 
x

Find y when x = 10 by substitution:

7
 20
y
x
20
y
10
y2

Solution 2: Use the equation x1 y1 = x2 y2

Let x1  2 , y1  10 , x2  10 , find y2

By substitution:

2(10) = 10(y2)

20 = 10y2
20
y2 =
10

y2 = 2

Hence y = 2 when x = 10.

Try this out

A. Determine if the equation expresses an inverse variation between the

variables. If so, find the constant of variation. Recall that k = yx.

1. a = 10b

2. 5st = 12

3. mn = 12

4. 6m = 4
n

5. y = 10
x

B. Find an equation of variation where y varies inversely as x.

6. y = 25 when x = 3

8
 7. y = 7 when x = 10

8. y = 42 when x = 25

9. y = 0.4 when x = 0.6

10. y = 45 when x = 2

C. In each of the following, find the constant of variation and then solve for the
indicated variable.

1. y varies inversely as x. If y = 3 when x = 4, find y when x = 6.

2. If w varies inversely as y. If w = 2 when y = 3, find w when y = 6.

3. If y varies inversely as x, and y is 10 when x = 5, find y when x = 7.

4. If w varies inversely as x and is 10 when x = 5 find w when x = 3.

5. If y varies inversely as x and y = 10 when x = 5, find y when x = 15.

Lesson 2

Graph that shows inverse variation

You have seen how one variable can vary directly as another variable in
different ways. You have also seen that the graph of direct variation with the use
of suitable axes is always a straight line. There are however, situations when two
variables do not vary directly but inversely.

This module will lead you to another view of the graph of a variation, which
is the graph of an inverse variation.

For instance, the formula for distance is d = rt. If the distance remains
fixed or constant, how will the rate and time be related?

Illustration: Suppose a teacher lives 40 km away from school where she teaches.
How long she takes to reach school depends on her average speed.
Some possible speeds and the length of time she needs for each
speed are:

9
 speed in kph 40 50 60 70 80
4 2 4 1
time in hours 1
5 3 7 2

How do the speed and time of travel affect each other? The speed varies
inversely as the time spent in traveling so that the constant of the variation is
k = 40.

To see clearly the relation of the two quantities, the graph of the relation is

90
80
70
60
Velocity 50
(kph) 40
30
20
10
0
0 1/5 2/5 3/5 4/5 1 1 1/5
time (hours)

You will notice that the graph is not a straight line since d  rt is not a
linear equation, when any of the variables d , r , or t is given a constant value.
The graph is asymptotic with the lines y  0 and x  0 , that is the graph of an
inverse variation is a curve line that does not cross the x and y axis.

Examples:

1. Complete the table of values on rectangles whose area is 36 sq. m

when the length and width are given then graph using a suitable
interval on the axes.

When l is 18 12 9 6
The value of w is 2 3 _ _

Solution: The product of the length l and the width w in any of the pairs is
equal to 36. Therefore, 36 is the variation constant. For a length
of 9, the width must be 4 and 6 for the length of 6.


kilometers per hour

10
 40

35

30

25
length
20
(metres)
15

10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
width (metres)

2. The following table describes the relation of the length and the width of a
rectangle with constant area. Graph the table.

Width (x) 2 3 4 6 8
3
Length (y) 6 4 3 2
2

7
6
5
4
length

3
2
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

width

11
3. The given tables are inverse variation. Write the equation of the given
relations and determine the constant of variation.

a. w 1 2 3 4 6
l 48 24 16 12 8

b. a 2 4 5
b 3 3/2 6/5

Solution:
k
a. The equation of the relation is l  , k  48
w

k
b. The equation of the relation is b  , k 6
a

4. Given the graph of inverse variation; y is inversely proportional to x , find

constant of variation and the equation.

4.50
4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6

12
 Solution:

The constant of variation:

xy  k
(1)(4)  k
4k

The equation:

4
y
x

Try this out

A. Graph the following tables, state whether the graph illustrates an inverse
variation. If it does, determine the constant of variation.

1. x 1 2 3 6
3 1
y 3 1
2 2

2. x 1 2 3 4
y 2 8 18 32

3. x 2 3 4 6
y 6 4 3 2

4. x 3 6 9 18
y 6 3 2 1

5. x 2 3 4 5
y 4 6 8 10

13
 Lesson 3

Problems involving inverse variation

Now, that you have gained analytical concept on how to deal with inverse
variation, this lesson will enhance your problem solving skill in dealing with
situations about inverse variation.

Examples:

1. The number of hours required to finish a certain job varies inversely as

the number of persons on the job. If 9 persons require 10 hours to
finish the job, how long should it take for 30 persons to finish the job?

Solution:

Let t - number of hours required to finish the job

n - number of people on this job.

k
The equation: t 
n

Solving for k , from the first set of given data,

k
10 
9
k  (9)(10)
k  90

To find the time t , 30 persons should take to finish the job,

90
t
n
90
t
30
t  3 hours
Alternative solution:

You can use t1n1  t2 n2 (see lesson 1, example 5), where t 2 is the
required time for 30 persons to finish the job.

14
 t1n1  t2 n2

(10)(9)  t2 (30)
90
t2 
30
t2  3

2. The bases of triangles are inversely proportional to their altitudes. The base of
a certain triangle is 14 cm and its altitude is 20 cm. Find the base of another
triangle having the same area as the first, whose altitude is 28 cm.

Solution:
let b - base of the triangle
a - altitude
k - area

the equation:
k
b
a
k
14  substitute the given data
20
k  (20)(14)
k  280

To find the base b where the altitude is 28 cm:

280
b
a
280
b
28
b  10

Alternative solution:
By proportion, you have a1b1  a2b2 where b2 is unknown

(20)(14)  (28)b2 by substitution

(20)(14)
b2 
28

15
 b2  10 cm

3. The intensity I of light from the bulb is inversely proportional to the square of
the distance s from the bulb. If I = 45 w/m2 when the distance s  10 m.
Find the intensity of the light from the bulb at a distance of 5 m.

Solution:
k
The equation: I 
s2
k
45  substitute the given data
(10) 2
k  (45)(10) 2
k  (45)(100)
k  4500

Finding I when s  5 m:
4500
I
s2
4500
I
52
4500
I
25
I  180 w/m2

Alternative solution:
By proportion, you have I1s1  I 2 s2 where I 2 is unknown
2 2

(45)(10) 2  I 2 (5) 2 by substitution

(45)(100)
I2 
25
I 2  180 w/m2

4. The speed of a gear wheel varies inversely as the number of teeth of the gear.
If a gear wheel which has 48 teeth makes 3 revolutions per minute. How
many revolutions per minute will a gear wheel with 96 teeth make?

Solution:

16
 let s = speed of a gear ( rev/min)
n = number of teeth of the gear

The equation:
k
s
n
k
32  substitute the given data
48
k  (48)(32)
k  1536

Solving for the number of revolutions per minute of a gear with 96

teeth can make,
1536
s
n
1536
s
96
s  16 revolutions per minute (rpm)

Try this out

A. Solve the following. You may use either of the solutions presented to you.

1. A pyramid with a square base has a fixed volume. The height h varies
inversely as the area of the base s 2 :

a. What is the constant of proportionality if h  8 , when side s  6 ?

b. If h  8 , when side s  6 , what is h when s  4 ?

2. The frequency f or number of vibrations of a string under constant

tension is inversely proportional to the length l of the string. If a 48 cm
string vibrates 192 cycles per second:

a. Find the constant of proportionality

b. Find the number of vibrations per second of a 32 cm string will make.

B.
How do you
pronounce VOLIX ?

17
Answer the questions then decode the answer

The number of kg W of water in a The amount C that a family spends on

human body varies directly as the total car expenses varies directly as its
weight B. A person weighing 75 kg income I. A family making
contains 54 kg of water. How many kg P 21,760 a year will spend P3264 a
of water are in a person weighing 95 year for car expenses. How much will
kg? a family making P 30,000 a year spend
m for car expenses.
v
A production line produces 15 compact It takes 16 hrs for 2 people to resurface
disc player every 8 hrs. How many players a gym floor. How long will it take 6
can it produce in 37 hrs? people to do the job?
e i
The time t required to drive a fixed The volume V of a gas varies inversely
distance varies inversely as the speed r. as the pressure P on it. The volume of a
It takes 5 hrs at 55 mph to drive a fixed gas is 200 cubic cm (cm3) under a
distance. How long would it take at 40 pressure of 32 kg/cm2. What will be its
mph? volume under a pressure of 20 kg/cm2?
n n
It takes 4 hrs for 9 cooks to prepare a The height H of triangle of fixed area
school lunch. How long will it take 8 varies inversely as the base B. Suppose
cooks to prepare the lunch? the height is 59 cm when the base is 40
o cm. Find the height when the base is 8
cm.
e
A person works for 15 hrs and makes The current I in an electrical conductor
P7125. How much will the person varies inversely as the resistance R of
make by working 35 hrs? the conductor. The current is 2 amperes
u when the resistance is 960 ohms. What
is the current when the resistance is
540 ohms?
l

I= P2000 000 3 5/9 hr I= 3.56 lbs P 2625 68.4 kg. 25 cm

t= 6.875 48 hrs 320 cm3 19.73

hrs.

Let ‘s summarize

18
 Definition:

If two variables x and y are so related that their product is a non-

k
zero constant, that y  or k  xy , then y is said to vary inversely as x , or
x
x y
y is inversely proportional to x as 1  2 or x1 y1  x2 y2
x2 y1

As for direct variation, y may vary inversely with the nth power of x ,
provided that n  0 . The general equation for an inverse variation or inverse
proportion is
k
y n
x

What have you learned

I. Direction: Fill in the blanks with either directly or inversely to make the
statement true.

1. A man deposited in his savings account a fixed sum s every month. At the
end of n months he has saved P 3000, then n varies___________ as s .

2. A rectangle is 30 cm long. If its width is w and its area is A, then A varies

_____________________ as w.

3. A polygon has n sides and each side is 6cm long. The perimeter p varies
____________________ as n.

4. The number of days that will be required to dig a ditch

varies____________________ as the number of men who will dig the
ditch.

5. The cost of mangoes varies ________________ as the price of the mango.

6. The number of chicos I can get for P 100 varies ______________ as the
price per kilo of chico.

19
 7. A group of businessmen sponsor a project that will cost P 100,000. the
share of each member varies __________________ as the number of
businessmen in the group.

8. A sidewalk 500 meters long is made up a certain number of (n) of stone

slabs each having a length (l). then n varies ____________ as l.

9. Given a certain amount of money (m), the number of ballpens (n) that can
be bought varies ___________________ as the cost ( c ) of each ballpen.

10. The perimeter P of a square varies ______________as the length of its

sides.

II. Solve for the following. Solve first for k and the equation of variation.

1. If t varies inversely as l , then we can write the equation as

t
a.  k b. tl  k c. t  kl d. tk = d
l

2. Which equation shows that m varies inversely as n ?

k
a. m  kn b. mn  k c. n  d. mk = n
m

3. y varies inversely as x. If y = 9 when x = 1/3, find x when y = 8.

3 8
a. b. c. 3 d. 8
8 3

4. y varies inversely as the square root of x. If the point (4,2) is on the graph
of the variation, find x when y = 4.
a. 2 b. 4 c. 6 d. 8

5. y varies inversely as x. If y = 60 when x = 12, what is the constant of

variation?
a. 72 b. 720 c. 20 d. 7

1
6. y varies inversely as the square of r . If y  8 when r  . Find y when
4
3
r .
2
a. 1/9 b. 2/9 c. 1/3 d. 4/9 e. none of these

Answer Key

A. How much do you know.

20
 1. increases, increases
2. decreases, increases
3. increases, decreases
4., increases, decreases
5. increases, increases
B.
1. inverse
2. inverse
3. inverse
4. no
5. no

Try this out

Lesson 1
A.
1. yes, k = 10
2. no
3. yes, k = 12
4. no
5. yes, k =10

B.
75
6. y 
x
70
7. y 
x
1050
8. y 
x
0.24
9. y 
x
90
10. y 
x
C.
1. k = 12, y = 2
2. k = 6, w = 1
3. k = 50, y = 7.14
4. k = 50, w = 16.67
5. k = 50, y = 3 1/3

lesson 2

A. Graph the following tables . . .

21
1. x 1 2 3 6
3 1
y 3 1
2 2
inverse, k = 3

2. x 1 2 3 4
y 2 8 18 32

not inverse

3. x 2 3 4 6
y 6 4 3 2

22
 inverse, k =12

7
6
5
4
y
3
2
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
x

4. x 3 6 9 18
y 6 3 2 1

inverse, k = 18

7
6
5
4
y
3
2
1
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
x

5. x 2 3 4 5
y 4 6 8 10

23
 1
direct variation, k 
2

12

10

y 6

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
x

Lesson 3

A.
k
1. a. h 
s2
k
8
(6) 2
k  (36)(8)
k  288

k
b. h 
s2
288
h
(4)2
h  18

2. a. k = 9216
b. f = 288 cycles per second

B.
v o l u m e
I= P2000 000 3 5/9 hr I= 3.56 lbs P 2625 68.4 kg. 25 cm

24
 n i n e
t= 6.875 48 hrs 320 cm3 19.73
hrs.

What have you learned

I. 1. directly
2. directly
3. directly
4. inversely
5. directly
6. inversely
7. inversely
8. inversely
9. inversely
10. directly

II. 1. b
2. b or c
3. a
4. e
5. b
6. b

25