Question

Is `xy=4` a direct of inverse variation?

Answer 1

`xy=4` is an inverse variation

Explanation:

To understand the operation of this equation: `xy=4`

the equation can be solved for a few values of `x` or `y`.

Suppose we choose values for `x` of `1, and 2, and 4`.

Then for `x=1, xy=4-> 1y=4->y=4`
Then for `x=2, xy=4-> 2y=4->y=2`
Then for `x=4, xy=4-> 4y=4->y=1`

Suppose now we choose values for `y` of `1, and 2, and 4`.

Then for `y=1, xy=4-> 1x=4->x=4`
Then for `y=2, xy=4-> 2x=4->x=2`
Then for `y=4, xy=4-> 4x=4->x=1`

In either case we saw that as the value of `x` increased, the value of `y` decreased and vice versa, so the variation between the two is inverse.