3.9: Modeling Using Variation
Solving Direct Variation Problems
In the example above, Nicole’s earnings can be found by multiplying her sales by her commission. The formula \(e=0.16s\) tells us her earnings, \(e\), come from the product of 0.16, her commission, and the sale price of the vehicle. If we create a table, we observe that as the sales price increases, the earnings increase as well, which should be intuitive. See Table 5.8.1 .
| \(s\), sales price | \(e=0.16s\) | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| $9,200 | \(e=0.16(9,200)=1,472\) | A sale of a $9,200 vehicle results in $1472 earnings. |
| $4,600 | \(e=0.16(4,600)=736\) | A sale of a $4,600 vehicle results in $736 earnings. |
| $18,400 | \(e=0.16(18,400)=2,944\) | A sale of a $18,400 vehicle results in $2944 earnings. |
Table 5.8.1
Notice that earnings are a multiple of sales. As sales increase, earnings increase in a predictable way. Double the sales of the vehicle from $4,600 to $9,200, and we double the earnings from $736 to $1,472. As the input increases, the output increases as a multiple of the input. A relationship in which one quantity is a constant multiplied by another quantity is called direct variation . Each variable in this type of relationship varies directly with the other.
Figure 5.8.1 represents the data for Nicole’s potential earnings. We say that earnings vary directly with the sales price of the car. The formula \(y=kx^n\) is used for direct variation. The value \(k\) is a nonzero constant greater than zero and is called the constant of variation . In this case, \(k=0.16\) and \(n=1\). We saw functions like this one when we discussed power functions.
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If \(x\) and \(y\) are related by an equation of the form
\(y=kx^n\)
then we say that the relationship is direct variation and \(y\) varies directly with, or is proportional to, the \(n\)th power of \(x\). In direct variation relationships, there is a nonzero constant ratio \(k=\dfrac{y}{x^n}\), where \(k\) is called the constant of variation , which help defines the relationship between the variables.
- Identify the input, \(x\),and the output, \(y\).
- Determine the constant of variation. You may need to divide \(y\) by the specified power of \(x\) to determine the constant of variation.
- Use the constant of variation to write an equation for the relationship.
- Substitute known values into the equation to find the unknown.
Solving Inverse Variation Problems
Water temperature in an ocean varies inversely to the water’s depth. The formula \(T=\frac{14,000}{d}\) gives us the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit at a depth in feet below Earth’s surface. Consider the Atlantic Ocean, which covers 22% of Earth’s surface. At a certain location, at the depth of 500 feet, the temperature may be 28°F.
If we create Table 5.8.2 , we observe that, as the depth increases, the water temperature decreases.
| \(d\), depth | \(T=\frac{14,000}{d}\) | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 500 ft | \(\frac{14,000}{500}=28\) | At a depth of 500 ft, the water temperature is 28° F. |
| 1000 ft | \(\frac{14,000}{1000}=14\) | At a depth of 1,000 ft, the water temperature is 14° F. |
| 2000 ft | \(\frac{14,000}{2000}=7\) | At a depth of 2,000 ft, the water temperature is 7° F. |
Table 5.8.2
We notice in the relationship between these variables that, as one quantity increases, the other decreases. The two quantities are said to be inversely proportional and each term varies inversely with the other. Inversely proportional relationships are also called inverse variations .
For our example, Figure 5.8.3 depicts the inverse variation. We say the water temperature varies inversely with the depth of the water because, as the depth increases, the temperature decreases. The formula \(y=\frac{k}{x}\) for inverse variation in this case uses \(k=14,000\).
If \(x\) and \(y\) are related by an equation of the form
\(y=\frac{k}{x^n}\)
where \(k\) is a nonzero constant, then we say that \(y\) varies inversely with the \(n\)th power of \(x\). In inversely proportional relationships, or inverse variations , there is a constant multiple \(k=x^ny\).
Solving Problems Involving Joint Variation
Many situations are more complicated than a basic direct variation or inverse variation model. One variable often depends on multiple other variables. When a variable is dependent on the product or quotient of two or more variables, this is called joint variation . For example, the cost of busing students for each school trip varies with the number of students attending and the distance from the school. The variable \(c\),cost, varies jointly with the number of students, \(n\),and the distance, \(d\).
Joint variation occurs when a variable varies directly or inversely with multiple variables.
For instance, if \(x\) varies directly with both \(y\) and \(z\), we have \(x=kyz\). If \(x\) varies directly with \(y\) and inversely with \(z\),we have \(x=\frac{ky}{z}\). Notice that we only use one constant in a joint variation equation.