INVER S E V A R IAT ION

QU A RT E R 2 – MEL C 2
Number of Workers Time to Finish the Job
 INVERSE VARIATION

 
An inverse variation is a relationship
between two variables, x and y, that can
be written as where
 INVERSE VARIATION

  𝒌
𝒚=
𝒙

“ y varies inversely as x”

“ y is inversely proportional to x”
  𝒌
𝒚= k is the constant of variation that relates the two variables.
𝒙
 
 
𝒌 =𝟏𝟐 =6

x y  
=4 k=xy
2 6
3 4  
=3
4 3
For two quantities with inverse
variation as one quantity
increases, the other quantity
decreases.
If there are more people
sharing a given amount,
then each person will get
less.
Less speed, more time is
taken to cover the same
distance
Translate it!
Translate each statement into an equation. Use k for the constant of variation.

  𝑘
1. z varies inversely as b 𝑧=
𝑏

2. m is inversely proportional to n.   𝑘
𝑚=
𝑛

  𝑘
3. c is inversely proportional to s. 𝑐=
𝑠
 Determine if the table below express an inverse variation or not.
x 3 6 12
y 8 4 2
24 24 24

 
𝒌 =𝒙𝒚  
𝒌 =𝟐𝟒

Inverse Variation
Given that y varies inversely as x, using the table of values, determine the
constant of variation and the equation of variation.
x 2 1 4   𝒌
y 6 12 3
𝒚=
𝒙
12 12 12
 
k xy
 
𝒌 =𝟏𝟐
  𝟏𝟐
𝒚=
𝒙
 Graph of inverse Variation

In inverse variation, the graph is a hyperbola.

Solve it!
Given that y varies inversely as x, find the constant of variation if x = 3 and y =7.

Solution:
 
𝒌
 
𝒌 𝟕=  
𝒌 =(𝟕)(𝟑)
𝒚= 𝟑
𝒙
 
𝟕 𝒌
Given: =
𝟏 𝟑
 
𝒌 =𝟐𝟏
x=3
y=7
Solve it!

If y varies inversely as x, and y = 10 when x = 6, then what is y when x = 15?

  Substitute k = 60 in
Solution:
 
𝒌
  𝟏𝟎 𝒌   𝟔𝟎
𝒚= = 𝒚=
𝒙 𝟏 𝟔 𝟏𝟓

 
10 k   
𝒚=𝟒
 
k
Solve it!

If y varies inversely as x, and y = 10 when x = 6, then what is y when x = 15?

Solution:
𝑘 =𝑥𝑦
    𝑥1 𝑦 1=𝑥 2 𝑦 2
 
(6)(10)
 
60
  60 15
=( ) 𝑦 2
15 15
 
4  
or