Today, were going to discuss two kinds of variations called the JOINT and

COMBINED variations. Both variations involves more than two variations,

unlike the first two, direct and inverse.
So first, lets talk about Joint Variation.
Joint variations are the same with direct variations, but with two variables on
the side with the constant k instead of one like in direct. The form of joint
variations is a = kbc which is read as a varies jointly as b and c. The
constant can be alternatively solved by using the formula k=a/bc.
For example,
Find the equation of variation where a varies jointly as b and c and a=144
when b=12 and c=3.
a=kbc
144=k(12)(3)
144/36=36k/36
K=4
Therefore, a=4bc.
Another example, if a varies jointly as b and c, and a=96 when b=2 and c=4,
find b when a=180 and c=3.
a=kbc
96=k(2)(4)
96=8k
k=12
a=12bc
180=(12)b(3)
180=36b
b=5
Joint variations can be found in the formula of force which is F=ma (k is equal
to 1). It is also found on the formula of momentum which is p=mv.
Next, lets talk about combined variation.
Combined variations, as the name suggests, can be:
a combination of direct and inverse variations,
a=kx/y a varies directly as x and inversely as y

or a combination of joint and inverse variations

a=kxy/z a varies jointly as x and y and inversely as z.
Example:
m varies directly as n and inversely as o. Find the equation of variation if
m=14 when n=7 and o=3.
m=kn/o
14=7k/3
42=7k
k=6
Therefore, m=6n/o.
Another one,
p varies jointly as q and r and inversely as s. p=6 when q=9, r=2 and s=6.
Find r if p=16, q=4, and s=2.
p=kqr/s
6=k(9)(2)/6
36=18k
k=2
p=2qr/s
16=(2)(4)r/2
32=8r
r=4
Combined variation is seen at the formula in Newtons Universal Law of
Gravitation which is F=Gm1m2/r2 where G is the gravitational constant
6.67408 10-11 m3 kg-1 s-2. Combined variation is also seen in calculating the
number of particles with a given mass which is no. of particles= given mass x
6.02x1023/total mass of compound. The given constant is also called
Avogadros number.