Math  /  Algebra

QuestionSay zz varies directly as xx and inversely as yy. zz is 185\frac{18}{5} when xx is 6 and yy is 5 . What is xx when yy is 9 and zz is 3 ?

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? If zz changes based on xx and yy in a specific way, and we know one set of values for xx, yy, and zz, can we figure out xx given different values for yy and zz? Watch out! Don't mix up direct and inverse variation!
Direct means they change in the same way, inverse means they change in opposite ways.

STEP 2

1. Set up the variation equation.
2. Find the constant of variation.
3. Solve for *x*.

STEP 3

Alright, so we know that zz varies *directly* with xx and *inversely* with yy.
This tells us we can set up an equation like this: z=kxyz = k \cdot \frac{x}{y}, where kk is our **constant of variation**.
We use kk because the relationship between zz, xx, and yy *always stays the same*.

STEP 4

We're given that zz is 185\frac{18}{5} when xx is 6 and yy is 5.
Let's plug these **values** into our equation: 185=k65\frac{18}{5} = k \cdot \frac{6}{5}.

STEP 5

Now, to solve for kk, we can multiply both sides of the equation by 56\frac{5}{6}.
This is because 5665=1\frac{5}{6} \cdot \frac{6}{5} = 1, and multiplying by one doesn't change the value!
So, we get 18556=k\frac{18}{5} \cdot \frac{5}{6} = k.

STEP 6

Let’s simplify!
Notice that we can divide to one!
We have a 5 in the numerator and denominator of the left side, so 55=1\frac{5}{5} = 1.
Also, 6 goes into 18 three times, so 186=3\frac{18}{6} = 3.
This gives us 31=k3 \cdot 1 = k, or k=3k = 3!
Our **constant of variation** is **3**!

STEP 7

Now we know our equation is z=3xyz = 3 \cdot \frac{x}{y}.
We want to find xx when yy is 9 and zz is 3.
Let's plug in those **values**: 3=3x93 = 3 \cdot \frac{x}{9}.

STEP 8

To get xx by itself, we can first divide both sides by 3.
Since 33=1\frac{3}{3} = 1, we have 1=x91 = \frac{x}{9}.

STEP 9

Finally, multiply both sides by 9, because 919=19 \cdot \frac{1}{9} = 1.
This gives us 9=x9 = x, or x=9x = 9!

STEP 10

When yy is 9 and zz is 3, xx is 9!

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