Aracely S.
asked • 04/22/20is this a direct variation, an inverse variation or neither?
X values are 6, 4, 1
Y values are 2, 3, 12
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1 Expert Answer
Rafael E. answered • 04/23/20
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Inverse Variation.
Direct variation y = kx, which k = y/x
Inverse variation y = k/x, which k = yx
So, now we test the set of x and y values to see if all the k values are the same.
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Stanton D.
Hi Aravely S., Graph the three points, and look at the straight line or y=1/x curve shape. In this case you can easily mentally eyeball that xy=12 for all three data points. Therefore, an inverse variation. I should perhaps point out that although you can rule out direct variation here, it would be better to have more points that just three in order to be more confident that the relationship is exactly an inverse variation. Usually there is some "noise" in real experimental data, and you might well suspect data that exactly fit a particular relationship, with no noise present! -- Cheers, -- Mr. d.04/22/20