GRE Math : How to find inverse variation

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find Inverse Variation

Find the inverse equation of:

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve for an inverse, we switch x and y and solve for y. Doing so yields:

 

 

Example Question #2 : How To Find Inverse Variation

Find the inverse equation of  .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

1. Switch the  and  variables in the above equation.

 

2. Solve for :

 

Example Question #3 : How To Find Inverse Variation

When ,  .

When .

If  varies inversely with , what is the value of  when ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

If  varies inversely with .

 

1. Using any of the two  combinations given, solve for :

Using :

 

2. Use your new equation  and solve when :

 

Example Question #3 : How To Find Inverse Variation

x

y

If  varies inversely with , what is the value of ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

An inverse variation is a function in the form:  or , where  is not equal to 0. 

Substitute each  in .

Therefore, the constant of variation, , must equal 24. If  varies inversely as must equal 24. Solve for .

Example Question #1 : How To Find Inverse Variation

 and  vary inversely. When . When . What does  equal when ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Because we know  and  vary inversely, we know that  for some .

When .

When .

Therefore, when , we have  so 

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