## Algebra 1

Published by Prentice Hall

# Chapter 11 - Rational Expressions and Functions - 11-6 Inverse Variation - Practice and Problem-Solving Exercises - Page 692: 47

#### Answer

No, Pedro is not correct.

#### Work Step by Step

It is true that a quick check for direct or inverse variation is the see how x and y relate to one another (for instance, if x goes up, what does y do? If it goes up, it is direct variation; if it goes down, it is inverse variation). However, the k must remain the same in either case. So, if this were an inverse variation, k would remain constant. Consider the following values of x and y according to the pattern Pedro sees: (1,8), (2,6), (3,4, (4,2)). If this were truly an inverse variation, then $xy = k$, in which k is constant. Let's check: $1\times8 = 8$ $2\times6=12$ $3\times4 = 12$ $4\times2 = 8$ While some of our k's were the same, they should have been constant throughout, meaning this is not an inverse variation. Instead, this information follows the form of a line: $y=mx+b$.

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.