If x and y are variables and k is a constant, which of the following describes an inverse relationship between x and y?
Answer Details
An inverse relationship between two variables means that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases. Mathematically, an inverse relationship can be represented by an equation where one variable is multiplied or divided by a constant.
Out of the given equations, the equation that represents an inverse relationship between x and y is y = \(\frac{k}{x}\).
To see why this is the case, let's consider what happens to y as x increases. Suppose x doubles in value. Then, according to the equation y = \(\frac{k}{x}\), y will be halved in value. Similarly, if x triples in value, y will be divided by 3. This means that as x increases, y decreases, which is the characteristic of an inverse relationship.
On the other hand, in the equation y = kx, as x increases, y also increases. This is not an inverse relationship but a direct relationship. The same applies to y = k\(\sqrt{x}\) and y = x + k.
Therefore, the equation that describes an inverse relationship between x and y is y = \(\frac{k}{x}\).