Question

How is inverse variation used in everyday life?

Answer 1

Hint: The above question is based on the concept of inverse variation. The main approach towards solving the above question is to explain by giving real life examples where one quantity can be inversely proportional than the other i.e., if one quantity increases the other decreases.

Complete step by step solution:
While direct variation describes a linear variation between two variables i.e., if one quantity increases the other quantity also increases whereas in inverse variation it describes a different relationship between two variables.
It states that for two quantities, if one quantity increases then the other quantity also decreases.
For example, the equation given below is
$y = \dfrac{k}{x}$
Where k is the constant.
Here suppose if the variable y increases then the variable x decreases since it is written inversely proportional to the variable y.
There are many real-life examples of inverse variation. For example, in a family let’s say the husband is working. So, if a greater number of people are working then there is more income to the family. This is direct variation.
But for inverse variation now if the family has a smaller number of members, then there is more savings.
But if there are more family members then there is less savings.
Therefore, this is an example of inverse variation.

Note: An important thing to note is that in the above given solution is that when there are members in the family to work then there is more earning in family (direct variation) whereas when there are more members then there is less saving in family(indirect variation).