Variation

Variation problems involve fairly simple relationships or formulas, involving one variable being equal to one term. Here follows the most
common kinds of variation.

The constant of variation in a direct variation is the constant (unchanged) ratio of two variable quantities. In the following equation y
varies directly with x, and k is called the constant of variation:

y=kxy=kx

Another form of variation is the inverse variation which works when there is a relationship between two variables in which the product is
a constant. When one variable increases the other decreases in proportion so that the product is unchanged.

If y is inversely proportional to x and k is a constant, the equation is of the form :

y=kxy=kx

When we have a variation where one quantity varies as the product of two or more other quantities we have what is called joint
variation:

y=kxz

Direct Variation:

If two variables A and B are so related that when A increases ( or decreases ) in a given ratio, B also increases ( or, decreases ) in the
same ratio, then A is said to vary directly as B ( or, A is said to vary as B ). This is symbolically written as, A ∝ B (read as, ‘A varies
as B’ ). Suppose a train moving at a uniform speed travels d km. in t minutes. Now, consider the following table:

d (km) 24 12 48 36

t (min) 30 15 60 45

Inverse Variation:

A variable quantity A is said to vary inversely as another variable quantity B, when A varies as the reciprocal of B i.e., when A varies as
1/B

Thus, if A varies inversely as B, we write A ∝ 1/B or, A = m ∙ (1/B) or, AB = m where’m (≠ 0) is the constant of variation. Hence, if one
variable varies inversely as another, then the product of the corresponding values of the variables is constant.

Conversely, if AB = k where A and B are variables and k is a constant, then A ∝ 1/B Hence, if the product of the corresponding values
of two variables is constant, then one quantity varies inversely as another.

Again, if A varies inversely as & then AB = constant ; but AB = constant implies that when A increases in a given ratio, B decreases in
the same ratio and vice -- versa. Thus, if two variables are so related that an increase (or decrease ) in the value of one variable in a
certain ratio corresponds to a decrease (or increase) in the same ratio in the value of the other variable then one variable varies
inversely as another.

Let a m. and b m. be the length and breadth r area 160 sq. m. Now, consider the following table:

a m. 20 16 40

b m. 8 10 4
Joint Variation:

One variable quantity is said to vary jointly as a number of other variable quantities, when it varies directly as their product. If the
variable A varies directly as the product of the variables B, C and D, i.e., if.A ∝ BCD or A = kBCD (k = constant ), then A varies jointly
as B, C and D.

We know, area of a triangle = ½ × base × altitude. Since ½ is a constant, hence area of a triangle varies oint1y as its base and altitude.

A is said to vary directly as B and inversely as C if A ∝ B ∙ 1/C or A = m ∙ B ∙ 1/C (m = constant of variation) i.e., if A varies jointly as B
and 1/C.

If x men take y days to plough z acres of land, then x varies directly as z and inversely as y.