Y varies inversely with the square of x, Given that y= 1/3 when x= -2, how do you express y in terms of x?

3 Answers
Apr 6, 2017

y=4/(3x^2)y=43x2

Explanation:

Since yy varies inversely with the square of xx, y prop 1/x^2y1x2, or y=k/x^2y=kx2 where kk is a constant.

Since y=1/3ifx=-2, 1/3=k/(-2)^2. Solving for k gives 4/3.

Thus, we can express y in terms of x as y=4/(3x^2).

Apr 6, 2017

y=4/(3x^2)

Explanation:

Inverse means 1/"variable"

The square of x is expressed as x^2

"Initially " yprop1/x^2

rArry=kxx1/x^2=k/x^2 where k is the constant of variation.

To find k use the given condition y=1/3" when " x=-2

y=k/x^2rArrk=yx^2=1/3xx(-2)^2=4/3

rArr color(red)(bar(ul(|color(white)(2/2)color(black)(y=4/(3x^2))color(white)(2/2)|)))larr" is the equation"

Apr 6, 2017

Y = 4/(3 x^2)

Explanation:

Y varies inversely with square of x means

Y = k (1/x^2) where k is a constant

plug in Y = 1/3 and x = -2 in the above equation.

1/3 = k (1/(-2)^2)

1/3 = k (1/4)

multiply with 4 to both sides.

4/3 = k

therefore,
Y = 4/3 (1/x^2) = 4/(3 x^2)