Question

What does it mean for x and y to vary inversely?

When x increases from 1 to 10, does 1 over x increase or decrease?

Describe a real life situation that shows inverse variation

Answer 1

1. The statement "y varies inversely as x means that when x increases, y decreases by the same factor. In other words, the expression xy is constant: xy = k.

2. increase

3. One type of variation is inverse variation, and two variables are said to vary inversely if when one increases the other decreases and vice versa. The formula we use to indicate that a variable, y, varies inversely with a variable, x, is y=kx y = k x , where k is a constant called the constant of variation.