MODULE 2: VARIATIONS

Variation is a change or difference in condition, amount, or level, typically with certain limits ([Link]).
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