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Solve Inverse Proportion Problems Algebraically

In this worksheet, students will find the values of unknown variables which are inversely proportional to each other, using appropriate notation to express such relationships algebraically.

'Solve Inverse Proportion Problems Algebraically' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 4

Year:  GCSE

GCSE Subjects:   Maths

GCSE Boards:   AQA, Eduqas, Pearson Edexcel, OCR,

Curriculum topic:   Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change

Curriculum subtopic:   Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change Direct and Inverse Proportion

Difficulty level:  

Worksheet Overview

Just when you have are hopefully getting to grips with direct proportion using algebra, this activity will throw inverse proportion at you too!

 

key 

 

Key Information:

Two quantities are said to be inversely proportional if, as one quantity increases, the other quantity decreases at the same rate.

They are doing the opposite to each other.

 

For example, the faster you run over a given distance, the less time it takes.

 

 

When two variables are proportional (so one increases as the other does, or vice versa), we would write this as: y ∝ x

We use the letter k to represent the constant, and we would find the multiplier using the formula: y = k × x

 

 

However, for inverse proportion, the opposite is happening, so we have to rearrange our formula to become:

y ∝ k/x

 

 

 

pencil 

 

It's time to practise now...

 

 

e.g. x is inversely proportional to y, and when x = 4 then y = 9.

a) Find y when x = 2.

 

Firstly, we need to find our multiplier by adding in the numbers we know:

y ∝ k/x

9 = k ÷ 4

k = 9 × 4

So k = 36

 

 

Now we can substitute this value into our formula with the new value for x:

y = 36 ÷ 2

y = 18

So when x = 2, y = 18. 

 

 

b) Find x when y = 3.

All we need to do here is to take the same multiplier and divide by the value given for y:

3 = 36 ÷ x

3x = 36

x = 12

 

 

 

Okay - let's dive in!

 

skydiver 

 

In this activity, you will find the values of unknown variables which are inversely proportional to each other, using appropriate notation to express these relationships algebraically. 

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