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The frequency of a guitar string varies inversely with its length. A 26” long string has a frequency of 440 vibrations per second.

  1. Write the equation of variation.
  2. How many vibrations per second will there be if the string’s length is reduced to 20” by putting a finger on a fret?

Solution


The frequency varies inversely with the length.
Name the variables. Let f = frequency.
L = length
Write the formula for inverse variation. .
We will use f in place of y and L in place of x . .
Substitute the given values for the variables. .
.
Solve for the constant of variation. .
.
Write the equation that relates f and L . .
Substitute in the constant of variation. .


Find f when L = 20 . Write the equation that relates f and L . f = 11,440 L Substitute the given value for L . f = 11,440 20 Simplify. f = 572 A 20” guitar string has frequency 572 vibrations per second.

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The number of hours it takes for ice to melt varies inversely with the air temperature. Suppose a block of ice melts in 2 hours when the temperature is 65 degrees.

  1. Write the equation of variation.
  2. How many hours would it take for the same block of ice to melt if the temperature was 78 degrees?

h = 130 t 1 2 3 hours

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The force needed to break a board varies inversely with its length. Richard uses 24 pounds of pressure to break a 2-foot long board.

  1. Write the equation of variation.
  2. How many pounds of pressure is needed to break a 5-foot long board?

F = 48 L 9.6 pounds

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Practice makes perfect

Solve Direct Variation Problems

In the following exercises, solve.

If y varies directly as x and y = 14 , when x = 3 , find the equation that relates x and y .

y = 14 3 x

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If p varies directly as q and p = 5 , when q = 2 , find the equation that relates p and q .

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If v varies directly as w and v = 24 , when w = 8 , find the equation that relates v and w .

u = 3 w

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If a varies directly as b and a = 16 , when b = 4 , find the equation that relates a and b .

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If p varies directly as q and p = 9.6 , when q = 3 , find the equation that relates p and q .

p = 3.2 q

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If y varies directly as x and y = 12.4 , when x = 4 , find the equation that relates x and y

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If a varies directly as b and a = 6 , when b = 1 3 , find the equation that relates a and b .

a = 18 b

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If v varies directly as w and v = 8 , when w = 1 2 , find the equation that relates v and w .

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The amount of money Sally earns, P , varies directly with the number, n , of necklaces she sells. When Sally sells 15 necklaces she earns $150.

  1. Write the equation that relates P and n .
  2. How much money would she earn if she sold 4 necklaces?

P = 10 n $ 40

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The price, P , that Eric pays for gas varies directly with the number of gallons, g , he buys. It costs him $50 to buy 20 gallons of gas.

  1. Write the equation that relates P and g .
  2. How much would 33 gallons cost Eric?
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Terri needs to make some pies for a fundraiser. The number of apples, a , varies directly with number of pies, p . It takes nine apples to make two pies.

  1. Write the equation that relates a and p .
  2. How many apples would Terri need for six pies?

a = 4.5 p 27 apples

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Joseph is traveling on a road trip. The distance, d , he travels before stopping for lunch varies directly with the speed, v , he travels. He can travel 120 miles at a speed of 60 mph.

  1. Write the equation that relates d and v .
  2. How far would he travel before stopping for lunch at a rate of 65 mph?
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Source:  OpenStax, Elementary algebra. OpenStax CNX. Jan 18, 2017 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col12116/1.2
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