Write an equation that expresses each relationship. Then solve the equation for y. x varies directly as z and inversely as the difference between y and w.
Table of contents
- 0. Review of Algebra4h 18m
- 1. Equations & Inequalities3h 18m
- 2. Graphs of Equations1h 43m
- 3. Functions2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 44m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Systems of Equations & Matrices4h 5m
- 8. Conic Sections2h 23m
- 9. Sequences, Series, & Induction1h 22m
- 10. Combinatorics & Probability1h 45m
1. Equations & Inequalities
Rational Equations
Problem 15
Textbook Question
Write an equation that expresses each relationship. Then solve the equation for y. x varies jointly as y and z and inversely as the square root of w.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the type of variation described: "x varies jointly as y and z" means x is proportional to the product of y and z, so we write \(x = k \cdot y \cdot z\) where \(k\) is a constant of proportionality.
Since x also varies inversely as the square root of w, include this inverse relationship by dividing by \(\sqrt{w}\). The equation becomes \(x = \frac{k \cdot y \cdot z}{\sqrt{w}}\).
Write the full equation expressing the relationship: \(x = \frac{k \cdot y \cdot z}{\sqrt{w}}\).
To solve for y, multiply both sides of the equation by \(\sqrt{w}\) to get rid of the denominator: \(x \cdot \sqrt{w} = k \cdot y \cdot z\).
Finally, isolate y by dividing both sides by \(k \cdot z\): \(y = \frac{x \cdot \sqrt{w}}{k \cdot z}\).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Joint Variation
Joint variation describes a relationship where one variable varies directly as the product of two or more other variables. In this case, x varies jointly as y and z means x is proportional to the product y * z, expressed as x = k * y * z, where k is a constant.
Inverse Variation
Inverse variation means one variable varies inversely as another, so as one increases, the other decreases proportionally. Here, x varies inversely as the square root of w, meaning x is proportional to 1 divided by √w, or x = k / √w.
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Solving for a Variable in an Equation
Solving for y involves isolating y on one side of the equation. After writing the joint and inverse variation equation, algebraic manipulation such as multiplication, division, and taking square roots is used to express y explicitly in terms of x, z, w, and the constant k.
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