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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from peter, a student: I don't really get the terms in this problem. Could you explain it: If y varies jointly as x and the square of z and inversely as the cube of w, by what factor is y increased when z is doubled and w is divided by 3 and x remains the same? |
Hi Peter,
The fact that y varies jointly as x and the square of z and inversely as the cube of w means that
y = k xz2/w3
for some constant k.
Suppose you input some values x = a, z = b and w = c. Then you obtain the output y = k ab2/c3. Now double the value of z and divide the value of w by 3. This means you are to input x = a, z = 2b and w = c/3. What is the output? How does it compare to the output you received for the inputs x = a, z = b and w = c?
Harley
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