Question

Assume that y varies inversely as x, how do you write an inverse variation equation that relates x and y given y=-4 when x=16?

Answer 1

`y=-64/x`

Explanation:

When y varies inversely as x, `y=k/x`, where k is some constant. By substituting `y=-4` and `x=16` we find that `-4=k/16`. Multiplying both sides by 16 gives `k=-64`. Therefore, the answer is `y=-64/x`.