Get Ready
Sign In
Think about the definition of the word inverse.
See solution.
We are told to think about the meaning of the word inverse
in relation to inverting a cup or glass. In this situation, it means changing the orientation of the cup or glass to the opposite direction.
inverse.
|
When something is an inverse, it is in the opposite direction. |
The above definition suggests that if positive values of x and y are related by an inverse variation, they move in opposite directions — one decreases as the other increases. Let's take a look at some examples of x and y varying inversely.
| Value of x | Value of y |
|---|---|
| x= number of workers | y= number of days it takes to complete the work |
| x= number of guests | y= amount of cake each person gets |
| x= number of cats | y= amount of time you have to pet each cat |
As each x-value increases, the corresponding y-value decreases. Also, as each x-value decreases, the corresponding y-value increases. Therefore, each pair of x and y is related by an inverse variation.