VARIATION

Two algebraic functions are applied frequently in science problems.

These are generally referred to as variation problems. The variable y is
said to vary directly as the variable x if y = kx, where k represents a
constant value usually called the constant of variation or proportionality
constant.

The graph of this relationship is a straight line passing through the

origin. k is equal to the slope of the line, where the slope refers to the
ratio of the change in y to the change in x.

The variable y is said to vary inversely as x if y = , where k is a

constant. The variation may also be written xy = k. The graph of this
relation is an equilateral hyperbola as shown in the figure.

The specific hyperbola will depend on the value of k.

Example
An auto traveling at a speed of 40 mph covers a distance in 3 hours. At
what speed must the auto travel to cover the same distance in 2 hours?

Solution
Find the distance covered in 3 hours:
distance = speed time = 40 3 = 120 miles
Find the new speed when the same distance was covered in 2 hours:
distance 120
speed = = = 60
time 2
Example If y varies inversely as the square of x, then if x is
(A) multiplied by 2, y is multiplied by 2
(B) increased by 2, y is increased by 4
(C) divided by 2, y is multiplied by 4
(D) decreased by 2, y is increased by 2
(E) multiplied by 2, y is decreased by 2

Solution (C)

y= 2

(A) Replace x by 2x and find the new value y':

y' = (2)2 = = (A) is not true.
4 2 4
(B) Replace x by x + 2 and find the new value y':

y' = ( + 2 (B) is not true.
+ 2)2 2

(C) Replace x by and find the new value y':
2
4
y' = 2
= = 4 (C) is true.
(2 ) 2

Similarly, (D) and (E) can be shown to be untrue.

The only correct choice is (C).
Example
The surface area of a sphere varies directly as the square of a radius. If
the area is 36 cm2 when the radius is 3 cm, what is the area when the
radius is 5 cm?

Solution
A = k 2 36 = k (32 ) k = 4 A = 4 2
r = 5 A = 4 (52 ) = 100 cm2.

Example If s varies directly as t2, what is the constant?

(A) the product of s and t2
(B) the square of s and t
(C) the quotient of s and t2
(D) the sum of s and t2
(E) the difference of s and t2

Solution (C) = 2 = .
2

Example If y varies directly as x and y = 12 when x = 3, find y when x =

10.
Solution The correct answer is 40.
Substitute x = 3 and y = 12 in y = kx: 12 = 3k k = 4.
When x =10, y = 4(10) = 40.

Example If y varies inversely as x and y = 8 when x = 3, find y when x =

10.
Solution The correct answer is y = 2.4.

Substitute x = 3 and y = 8 in y = :


8 = k = 24.
3
24
When x =10, y = = 2.4.
10
Example According to Hookes law, the amount x that a spring is
stretched is directly proportional to the force F applied. If a force of 0.6
N stretches a spring 3 cm, how large a force will stretch the spring 8 cm?

Solution
1 0.6 3 0.6 8
= 1 = 2 = = 1.6 .
2 2 2 8 3

Example According to Boyles law, the volume V of an ideal gas at a

fixed temperature varies inversely as the pressure P applied to it. If such
a gas occupied 20 in3 when under a pressure of 12 lb per in2, what
pressure will result in a volume of 30 in3?

Solution
1 20 2 20 12
= 2 = 2 = = 8 lb per in2
2 1 30 12 30

Example At a fixed voltage, the current I in a DC electric current varies

inversely as the resistance R of the circuit. If the resistance is tripled, the
current is
(A) tripled
(B) doubled
(C) divided by 3
(D) divided by 2
(E) divided by 9

Solution The correct answer is C.

I=

Multiply R by 3.

= =
3 3
I is divided by 3.
Example When an object is dropped from a position above ground, the
vertical distance s it falls varies directly as the square of the time t it
takes to fall. In 10 seconds, an object falls 1600 ft. Write a formula
expressing s in terms of t.

Solution The correct answer is s = 16t2.

= 2 .
Substitute = 1600 and = 10:
1600 = (102 ) k = 16 = 16 2

Example The intensity of illumination on a surface from a source of

light varies inversely as the square of the distance of the surface from the
source (inverse-square law). The effect of moving a piece of paper three
times as far from the source is to

(A) divide the intensity by 3

(B) multiply the intensity by 3
(C) divide the intensity by 9
(D) multiply the intensity by 9
(E) decrease the intensity by 3

Solution The correct answer is (C).

=
2
Multiply d by 3:

= (3)2
= .
9
I is divided by 9.
Example The frequency of vibration (f) of a pendulum varies inversely
as the square root of the length (L) of the pendulum. If a pendulum with
a length of 1 ft produces a frequency of 1 vibration per second, write a
formula relating f to L.
1
Solution The correct answer is =


=

Substitute L = 1 and f = 1:
1
1= k=1 =
1

Example The volume V of an ideal gas varies directly as the absolute

temperature T and inversely as the pressure P. If the volume of a gas is
300 cm3 at 280K and 560 mm of pressure, write a formula for V in
terms of T and P.

Solution The correct answer is = 600 .


=

Substitute V = 300, T = 280, P = 560:
280 1
300 = 300 = k = 600.
560 2

= 600

Example The gravitational force (F) of attraction between two bodies of
masses m and M varies directly as the product of their masses and
inversely as the square of the distance d between them. Doubling one of
the masses and the distance between the masses will

(A) double F
(B) divide F by 2
(C) multiply F by 4
(D) divide F by 4
(E) multiply F by 2

Solution The correct answer is (B).

F=k .
2
Multiply m by 2 and d by 2.
(2) 2
= = = = .
(2)2 42 22 2

F is divided by 2.