If y varies directly with x, and If y = -18 when x = 6, how do you find x when y = 6?

1 Answer
Dec 11, 2015

Another way of looking at this problem type

#x=-2#

Explanation:

Firstly, the solution provided already is correct in its approach and it has many applications.

Let us consider the use of the constant conversion factor of k

This is where the use of k comes from
Suppose we had for example #2/3-> k ~~ 0.666....#

Now compare that concept to:

#x/y=6/(-18)# if you divide this out you end up with k

What if we wrote it as:

#x/y=6/(-18) =x/6#

Then the solution is presented in the familiar form of ratio

Multiply both sides by 6 and you end up with:

#6xx6/(-18)=6xx x/6#

#(6xx6)/(-18)=6/6 x#

#x=-36/18 = -2#

Either of the approaches will work