MODULE 2: VARIATIONS

Variation is a change or difference in condition, amount, or level, typically with certain limits (dictionary.com).
But, the variation in mathematics talks about the change in variable due to the change in related variable.
Examples:
1. The cost of fish varies directly as its weight in kilograms.
2. The number of hours to finish a job varies inversely to the number of men working.
3. The area of a rectangular varies jointly as the length and width
4. The velocity of a moving object varies directly as the distance it travels and inversely as the time it travels.

MODULE MAP
Here is a simple map that shows the lessons:
DIRECT VARIATION
In different situations, for two quantities, x and y, an increase in x causes an increase in y as well.
Similarly, a decrease in x causes a decrease in y. There is a direct variation between x and y.

Mathematically speaking, there is direct variation whenever a situation produces pairs of numbers in
which their RATIO is constant. That is x divide y equals a constant.

The statements:

“y varies directly as x”
“y is directly proportional to x” may be translated mathematically as y = kx
“y is proportional to x” *where k is the constant of variation
Example:

1. If y varies directly as x and y = 24 when x = 6, find the variation constant and the equation of variation.
Solution:
a. Express the statement “y varies directly as x” as y = kx.  24 = 6k
b. Solve for k.   Therefore, the variation constant is 4.
c. Form the equation of variation by substituting k in the statement, y = kx.  y = 4x
2. The table below shows that the distance d varies directly as the time t. Find the constant of variation and the
equation which describes the relation.

Solution:
Since, the distance d varies directly as the time t, then  d = kt.
Using one of the pairs of values, (2, 20), from the table,
Substitute the values of d and t in d = kt.  20 = 2k
Solve for k.   Therefore, the variation constant is 10
Form the equation of variation by substituting k in the statement, d = kt.  d = 10t
Note: We can see that the constant of variation can be solved if one pair of values of x and y is known. From
the resulting equation of variation, other pairs having the same relationship can be obtained.
3. If x varies directly as y and x = 35 when y = 7, what is the value of y when x = 25?
Solution:
1. Since x varies directly as y  x = ky
2. Substitute the given values of y and x to solve for the variation constant.   
3. Hence, the equation of variation is x = 5y
4. Solving for y when x = 25,

Hence, the value of y when x = 25 is 5

Exercise 1: Find the constant of variation and an equation that defines the relation.
1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

Exercise 2: Write an equation where y varies directly as x.

Exercise 3: In each of the following, y varies directly as x. Find the values as indicated.

Exercise 4: Answer the following problems.

2.

3.
4.

5.

INVERSE VARIATION
In different situations, for two quantities, x and y, an increase in x causes a decrease in y.
Consequently, a decrease in x causes an increase in y. There is an inverse variation between x and y.
Mathematically speaking, there is inverse variation whenever a situation produces pairs of numbers in
which their PRODUCT is constant. That is x multiply y equals a constant.
The statements:

“y varies inversely as x” may be translated mathematically as

1. Find the constant of variation and equation of variation: y varies inversely as x and y = 6 when x = 18.
k
a. Identify the mathematical representation: y varies inversely as x  y=
x
k
b. Find k: 6=  k = (6)(18)  k = 108  constant of variation
18
108
c. Substitute k to the mathematical representation: y=  equation of variation
x
2. If y varies inversely as x and y = 10 when x = 2, find y when x = 10.
k
a. y=
x
k
b. 10=  k = (2)(10)  k = 20  constant of variation
2
k 20
c. y=  y=  equation of variation
x x
20
d. find y when x = 10: y=  y=2
10
3. Find the constant of variation and the equation of variation:
 k
a. y=
x

k
b. Using one pair (8, 9): 9=  k = 72  constant of variation
8

k 72
c. y=  y=  equation of variation
x x

JOINT VARIATION
The situations involving DIRECT and INVERSE variation have only TWO quantities. What if the situation
requires the use of MORE THAN TWO quantities?

The statements:
“a varies jointly as b and c” may be translated mathematically as a=k b c
*where k is the constant of variation

Example:
1. Find the equation of variation where a varies jointly as b and c, and a = 36 when b = 3 and c = 4.
a. a varies jointly as b and c  a = kbc
36
b. Use the given set of values (a = 36, b = 3, c = 4) to find k: 36 = k(3)(4)  36 = 12k  k =  k=3
12
c. Substitute k to the mathematical representation: a = 3bc
2. z varies jointly as x and y. If z = 16 when x = 4 and y = 6, find the constant of variation and the equation of
variation.
a. z varies jointly as x and y  z = kxy
 16 2
b. Since z = 16, x = 4, and y = 6  16 = k(4)(6)  16 = 24k  k =  k=
24 3

2
c. Substitute k to the mathematical representation: z= xy
3

COMBINED VARIATION
Variation that involves both the DIRECT and INVERSE variation are called COMBINED VARIATION.
Combined variation is another physical relationship among variables.
The statements:
kx
“z varies directly as x and inversely y” may be translated mathematically as z=
y
*where k is the constant of variation

Example:
1. Translating statements into mathematical equations using k as the constant of variation.
a. T varies directly as a and inversely as b.
ka
T=
b
b. Y varies directly as x and inversely as the square of z.
kx
Y=
z2
2. 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.
kx
a. z varies directly as x and inversely as y:  z=
y
k (6) 9
b. Solve for k by using the given set of values ( z = 9, x = 6, and y = 2):  9=  k=  k = 3
2 3
3x
c. Substitute k back to the mathematical representation: z=
y
d. Using the equation of variation, find z when x = 8 and y = 12:

3(8) 24
z=  z=  z=2
12 12