Direct Variation
Inverse variation
Variation Word problems
100

This Equation describes a relationship where y varies directly with x, and y=12 when x=4

What is 

y=3x

100

This is the general equation that represents an inverse variation between x and y 

What is y=k/x

100

A car’s distance traveled varies directly with time. If it travels 120 miles in 2 hours, how far will it go in 5 hours?

What is 300 miles?

200

if y =3x, this is the value of y when x = 10

What is 30?

200

if y=k/x and y=4 when x=3, this is the value of k 

What is 12?

200

The time it takes to complete a job varies inversely with the number of workers. If 4 workers can do it in 6 hours, how long would it take 8 workers?

What is 3 hours?

300

if y varies directly with x and y =20 when x =5, this is the value of x when y= 32.

What is 8? 

300

if y varies inversely with x, and y =6 when x=2, what is the value of y when x =4 

what is 3?

300

The brightness of a light varies inversely with the square of the distance from the source. If brightness is 100 at 2 meters, what is it at 4 meters?

What is 25?

400

This is how you know a relationship between x and y is a direct variation


The ratio is constant so it would cross the point (0,0) in a graph and is a straight line

400

How can you tell if a relationship is an inverse variation 

What is the product xy is constant or the equation y=k/x  can be used to represent it 

400

The amount of money earned varies directly with the number of hours worked. If someone earns $90 in 6 hours, how much will they earn in 10 hours?

What is $150?


500

Given this table, is the relationship a direct variation?_

x | y

2 , 6

4 , 12

6 , 18

What is Yes, it's a direct variation as y/x =3 every time?

500

Using this table, see if it shows an inverse variation

x | y

2 , 12

3 , 8 

4 , 6

What is 

yes, the product xy is 24 for all pairs.

500

A planet’s gravitational force varies inversely with the square of the distance from its center. If the force is 36 N at 2 units away, what is the force at 6 units?

What is 4 N?