How to find inverse variation

Because the number of days goes down as the number of children goes up, this problem type is inverse variation. We can solve this problem by the following steps:

20*6=24*x

120=24x

x=120/24

x=5

In this equation, x represents the total number of days that can be weathered by 24 students. This is down from the 6 days that 20 students could take shelter together. So the difference is 1 day less.

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

1. Switch the and variables in the above equation.

2. Solve for :

If varies inversely with , .

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

Using :

2. Use your new equation and solve when :

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 .