Types of Variation

Direct Variation: y varies directly as x. As x increases, y

also increases. As x decreases, y also decreases.
Equation for Direct Variation: y = kx

Inverse Variation: y varies inversely as x. As x increases, y

decreases. As x decreases, y increases. The product of x
and y is always constant.
Equation for Inverse Variation: xy = k

Joint Variation: z varies jointly as x and y. As x and y

increases, z also increases. As x and y decrease, z also
decreases.
Equation for Joint Variation: y = kxz
Determine whether the relation between the quantities involved is
direct or inverse variation.

1. The number of workers and the time required to finish an amount

of work. Inverse
2. The number of workers and the amount of worked finished.
Direct
3. The height of a person and his weight. Direct
 Steps in solving problems involving variations

Write the Give the

equation or equation of
formula variation

Solve for Solve for the

the value of unknown
k value
 EXAMPLE

1. a is directly proportional to b. if a = 10 and b = 2.

Find a if b = 4.
Formula: a = kb

Solve for k: k = 5

Equation of variation: a = 5b
Solve for the
unknown a = 5b a = 5(4) a = 20
value:
 EXAMPLE

2. If y varies inversely as x and y = 10 when x = 2,

find y when x = 10.
Formula:

Solve for k: k = 20

Equation of variation:
Solve for the
unknown y=2
value:
 EXAMPLE
3. d varies jointly as h and g. if d = 5 when h = 14
and g = 5, find g when h = 3 and d = 84.
Formula: d = khg

Solve for k: k = 1/14

Equation of variation: d = 1/14hg
Solve for the d = 1/14hg
unknown
value: 84 = 14(3)g
84 = 42g g=2
 EXAMPLE
4. If z varies directly as x and inversely as y, and z = 9 when
x = 6 and y = 2, find z when x = 8 and y = 12.

Formula:

Solve for k: k = 3
Equation of variation:
Solve for the
unknown
value: z=2
 EXAMPLE
4. If z varies directly as x and inversely as y, and z = 9 when
x = 6 and y = 2, find z when x = 8 and y = 12.

Formula:

Solve for k: k = 3
Equation of variation:
Solve for the
unknown
value: z=2
 EXAMPLE
4. If z varies directly as x and inversely as y, and z = 9 when
x = 6 and y = 2, find z when x = 8 and y = 12.

Formula:

Solve for k: k = 3
Equation of variation:
Solve for the
unknown
value: z=2