The problem states that $y$ varies directly as $x$ and inversely as the square of $z$. We are given that when $x=8$, $y=4$ and $z=2$. We are asked to find: a. The value of the constant of proportionality $k$. b. The value of $y$ when $x=18$ and $z=3$. c. The value(s) of $z$ when $x=25$ and $y=2$.

AlgebraDirect VariationInverse VariationEquationsSolving Equations
2025/4/4

1. Problem Description

The problem states that yy varies directly as xx and inversely as the square of zz. We are given that when x=8x=8, y=4y=4 and z=2z=2. We are asked to find:
a. The value of the constant of proportionality kk.
b. The value of yy when x=18x=18 and z=3z=3.
c. The value(s) of zz when x=25x=25 and y=2y=2.

2. Solution Steps

a. Since yy varies directly as xx and inversely as the square of zz, we can write the relationship as:
y=kxz2y = k \frac{x}{z^2}
We are given that x=8x=8, y=4y=4, and z=2z=2. Substituting these values into the equation, we get:
4=k8224 = k \frac{8}{2^2}
4=k844 = k \frac{8}{4}
4=2k4 = 2k
k=42=2k = \frac{4}{2} = 2
Therefore, k=2k=2.
b. Now we want to find the value of yy when x=18x=18 and z=3z=3. We have k=2k=2, so the equation is:
y=2xz2y = 2 \frac{x}{z^2}
Substituting x=18x=18 and z=3z=3, we get:
y=21832y = 2 \frac{18}{3^2}
y=2189y = 2 \frac{18}{9}
y=2(2)=4y = 2(2) = 4
Therefore, y=4y=4.
c. Finally, we want to find the value(s) of zz when x=25x=25 and y=2y=2. Again, we use the equation:
y=2xz2y = 2 \frac{x}{z^2}
Substituting x=25x=25 and y=2y=2, we get:
2=225z22 = 2 \frac{25}{z^2}
Divide both sides by 2:
1=25z21 = \frac{25}{z^2}
z2=25z^2 = 25
Taking the square root of both sides, we get:
z=±25z = \pm \sqrt{25}
z=±5z = \pm 5
Therefore, z=5z=5 or z=5z=-5.

3. Final Answer

a. k=2k=2
b. y=4y=4
c. z=5z=5 or z=5z=-5