Variation

M.J.C.
Loquias

Variation

Manuel Joseph C. Loquias

Institute of Mathematics, University of the Philippines Diliman

Mathematics 60
Variation

M.J.C.
Loquias
Direct Variation
Def.:
variable y varies directly as the variable x, or
y is directly proportional to x, written y ∝ x:
ratio of x and y is a nonzero constant k, that is,
y
x = k or y = kx
y

y=kx, k>0

x
Variation

M.J.C.
Loquias
Inverse Variation
Def.:
variable y varies inversely as the variable x, or
y is inversely proportional to x, written y ∝ x1 :
product of x and y is a nonzero constant k, that is,
k
yx = k or y = x
y

y= xk , k>0

x
Variation

M.J.C.
Loquias
Joint Variation
Def.:
variable z varies jointly as the variable x and y, or
z is jointly proportional to x and y, written z ∝ xy:
z varies directly as x when y is held constant, and varies
directly as y when x is held constant, that is,
z
= k or z = kxy
xy

R EMARK :
1. k = constant of proportionality or constant of variation
2. combined variation: a combination of the three types of
variations
Variation

M.J.C.
Loquias
Example:
1. In each of the following, find the constant of
proportionality and give the equation relating the
variables.
(a) v varies directly as the square root of s, and v = 24 when
s = 16
√ √
v ∝ s ⇐⇒ v = k s
√
Substitute v = 24, s = 16 : 24 = k 16 ⇒ k = 24 4 = 6
√
∴ v=6 s
3
(b) q is inversely proportional to p, and q = 2 when p = 50
1 k
q∝ p ⇐⇒ q = p

k
Substitute q = 32 , p = 50 : 3 3


2 = 50 ⇒ k = 50 2 = 75
75
∴ q= p
Variation

M.J.C.
Loquias
Example:
2. Simple interest varies jointly as principal and time. If
−
P 100, 000 left at interest for two years earned −
P 110, find
−
the amount of interest earned by P 500, 000 for five years.
Let I = interest
P = principal
T = time
I ∝ PT ⇐⇒ I = kPT

Substitute P = 100000, T = 2, I = 110 :

55
110 = k(100000)(2) ⇒ k = 100000

If P = 500000, T = 5 :
55
I= 100000 (500000)(5) =−
P 1, 375
Variation

M.J.C.
Loquias
Example:
3. If z varies directly as the square of x and inversely as y,
what effect on z does doubling x and tripling y have?
x2 kx2 yz
z∝ ⇐⇒ z = ⇐⇒ k = 2
y y x
Let x̃ = 2x , ỹ = 3y , z̃ = new value of z
ỹ z̃ yz
Then 2
= 2
(x̃) x
3y z̃ yz

2 = 2
2x x
3y
z̃y
z
=
4x2 x2
z̃ = 34 z
4
∴ z is increased to 3 of its original value
Variation

M.J.C.
Loquias
Exercise:

1. In each of the following, find the constant of

proportionality and give the equation relating the
variables.
(a) V varies jointly as h and the square of b, and V = 288
when h = 6 and b = 12.
(b) z is directly proportional to x and inversely proportional to
the square root of y, and z = 720 when x = 48 and y = 81.

2. Hooke’s Law states that the distance a spring is stretched

varies directly as the weight on the spring. A weight of
80 lbs. stretches a spring 5 in. How far will a weight of
100 lbs. stretch the spring?
Variation

M.J.C.
Loquias
Exercise:

3. The speed of a bicycle gear, in revolutions per minute, is

inversely proportional to the number of teeth on the gear.
If a gear with 64 teeth has a speed of 20 revolutions per
minute, what will be the speed of a gear with 48 teeth?

4. A company determines that the demand for one of its

products is directly proportional to the amount spent on
advertising and inversely proportional to the price of the
product. When − P 400,000 is spent on advertising and the
price per unit is −
P 20, the monthly demand is
100,000 units. If the amount of advertising was increased
to −
P 500,000, how much could the price be increased to
maintain a monthly demand of 100,000 units?