Grade 10 Mathematics Week 1 Lesson 1
Grade 10 Mathematics Week 1 Lesson 1
π ∝
π
Example 1:
If y is directly proportional to x, and y = 10 when x = 2.5 determine the value of:
(a) The constant of proportion, a
(b) y when y = 20
(c) x when x = 1.25
Solution
(a) since y∝x
then y = a∝
Given that y = 10 when x = 2.5
Then 10= a(2.5)
So the constant, a = 10
2.5
Thus y = ax = 4x
Hence the constant of proportion a is 4
(b) When y = 20
Then y = 4x becomes
20 = 4x
So x = 20 = 5
4
Hence x = 5 when y = 20
Solution
(a) Since A ∝ r²
Then A = ar²
Given that A = 154cm² when r = 7cm
Then 154 = (7) ² = 49a
So the constant a = 154 = 22
49 7
And A= 22(14) ²
7
= 22 × 14×14
7
= 616cm²
Hence the area of the circle 0f radius 14cm is 616 cm²
38.5 = 22 r²
7
So r² = 38.5 × 7 = 12.25
22
r = √12.25 = 3.5cm
Inverse Variation
If y is directly proportional to 1/x then we can write,
y∝ 1\x
The inverse of x is 1\x
So we can say that, if y is inversely proportional to x, then we can write,
y∝ 1\x
We say that y varies inversely as x. That is, when x increases then y will decrease. And when y
decreases then x will increase.
NOTE
Example 1
If y is inversely proportional to x, and y = 3 when x = 6, determine the value of:
(a) The constant of proportion , a
(b) x when y = 6
(c) y when x = 1.5
Solution
(a) Since y∝1
x
ten y=a
x
Then 3= a
6
So the constant, a = 3 x 6 = 18
Thus y = a = 18
x x
Hence the constant of proportion, a is 18
Then y = 18 becomes
x
6 = 18
x
So x = 18 = 3
6
Hence x = 3 when y = 6
Then y= 18 = 18 = 12
x 1.5
REFERENCE:
Raymond Toolsie, Mathematics: A Complete Course With CXC Questions Volume One.
Pages 318 – 320