Suppose x varies inversely with y. If X = 10 when y = 5 how do you find x when y = 14?

1 Answer
Jun 28, 2016

Construct a variation equation and solve for xx to get x=25/7x=257.

Explanation:

When we say "xx varies inversely with yy", we mean that when xx increases, yy decreases, and vice versa. Mathematically, this is expressed as:
y=k/xy=kx
Where kk is referred to as the constant of variation.

We are told x=10x=10 when y=5y=5, so:
5=k/105=k10
->10*5=k->50=k105=k50=k

Our equation is:
y=50/xy=50x

If y=14y=14, then
14=50/x14=50x
->x=50/14=25/7x=5014=257