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2.06 Inverse variation and hyperbolas

Worksheet
Inverse variation
1

The equation x y = 7 can be described as a function where y varies inversely with x and has a constant of proportionality, k=7.

Find the constant of proportionality, k, for the following:

a

y = 4 when x = 3

b
y = - 2 when x = 3
c
y = \dfrac{3}{4} when x = - 2
d
y = - \dfrac{4}{5} when x = - 3
2

State whether the following equations represent an inverse relationship between x and y:

a
y = \dfrac{7}{x}
b
y = 6 x + 8
c
y = - \dfrac{9}{x}
d
y = \dfrac{8}{x^{2}}
e
y = 2 x^{2} - 7 x - 4
f
y = 3 - x
g
x = 1 + y^{3}
h
x = \dfrac{8}{y^{2}}
i
x y = - 7
j
x = \dfrac{2}{y}
k
x y = 5 x
3

The equation y = \dfrac{6}{x} represents an inverse relationship between x and y.

a

Write an equivalent equation for y = \dfrac{6}{x} which does not contain a fraction.

b

Can x or y be equal to 0?

c

When x = 2, what is the value of y?

d

If x is a positive value, must the corresponding y value be positive or negative?

e

If x is a negative value, must the corresponding y value be positive or negative?

f

In which quadrants does the graph of y = \dfrac{6}{x} lie?

4

The equation y = - \dfrac{12}{x} represents an inverse relationship between x and y.

a

Write an equivalent equation for y = - \dfrac{12}{x} which does not contain a fraction.

b

When x = 3, what is the value of y?

c

If x is a positive value, must the corresponding y value be positive or negative?

d

If x is a negative value, must the corresponding y value be positive or negative?

e

In which quadrants does the graph of y = \dfrac{- 12}{x} lie?

5

For each hyperbola, find the x-value that corresponds to the given y-value:

a
y = \dfrac{1}{x}
i
y = \dfrac{1}{3}
ii
y = - \dfrac{1}{3}
b
y = \dfrac{8}{x}
i
y = 4
ii
y = -4
c
y = -\dfrac{6}{x}
i
y = 3
ii
y = - 3
Graphs of hyperbolas
6

State whether the following graphs are hyperbolas:

a
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
x
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
y
b
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
x
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
y
c
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
x
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
y
d
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
x
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
y
e
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
x
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
y
f
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
x
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
y
7

State whether each of the following is a feature of the graph of y = \dfrac{3}{x}:

a

Intercepts

b

Aysmptotes

c

Limits

d

Symmetry

8

Using technology or otherwise, graph the following functions and state:

i

The number of x-intercepts

ii

The number of y-intercepts

a
y = - \dfrac{3}{x}
b
y = \dfrac{6}{x}
9

Using technology or otherwise, graph the following functions and state whether the graph is increasing or decreasing for:

i

x > 0

ii

x < 0

a
y = \dfrac{8}{x}
b
y = - \dfrac{2}{x}
10

Using technology or otherwise, graph the two inverse relations on the same number plane and answer the following questions:

i

Do the graphs ever intersect?

ii

For which values of x is the first function less than the second?

iii

For which values of x is the first function greater than the second?

a

y = \dfrac{7}{x} and y = - \dfrac{7}{x}

b

y = \dfrac{2}{x} and y = \dfrac{4}{x}

c

y = - \dfrac{9}{x} and y = - \dfrac{36}{x}

11

Using technology or otherwise, graph the inverse relationship y = - \dfrac{5}{x}. Hence write the coordinates of the point of rotational symmetry.

12

Consider the function y = \dfrac{4}{x}.

a

Complete the table of values:

x12345
y
b

Is y = \dfrac{4}{x} increasing or decreasing when x > 0?

c

Describe the rate of change of the function when x > 0.

13

The equation y = - \dfrac{6}{x} represents an inverse relationship between x and y.

a

Complete the table of values:

x-5-4-3-2-1
y
b

Is y = - \dfrac{6}{x} increasing or decreasing when x < 0?

c

Describe the rate of change of the function when x < 0.

14

Consider the hyperbola that has been graphed.

a

Complete the statement: Every point \left(x, y\right) on the hyperbola is such that x y=⬚.

b

Determine whether the following statements are true or false:

i

As x increases, y increases.

ii

As x decreases, y increases.

-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
x
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
y
15

Consider the graph of y = \dfrac {2}{x}:

a

For x > 0, as x increases, what does y approach?

b

For x > 0, as x approaches 0, what does y approach?

c

State the equation of the vertical asymptote.

d

State the equation of the horizontal asymptote.

e

The graph has two axes of symmetry. State their equations.

-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5
x
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5
y
16

Consider the function y = \dfrac{2}{x}.

a

Complete the table of values:

x-2-1-\dfrac{1}{2}-\dfrac{1}{10}-\dfrac{1}{100}\dfrac{1}{100}\dfrac{1}{10}\dfrac{1}{2}1
y
b

For what value of x is the function undefined?

c

Rewrite the equation to make x the subject.

d

For what value of y is the function undefined?

e

Below is the graph of y = \dfrac{2}{x}.

i

What value should x approach from the right for the function value to approach \infty?

ii

What value does the function approach as x approaches 0 from the left?

iii

What value does y approach as x approaches \infty and -\infty? This is called the limiting value of the function.

-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5
x
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5
y
Applications
17

State whether the following relationships can be modelled by an inverse function of the form x y = a:

a

The relationship between the number of people working on a job and how long it will take to complete the job.

b

The relationship between the number of sales and the amount of revenue.

c

The relationship between people's height and weight.

18

Boyle's law describes the relationship between pressure and volume of a gas of fixed mass under constant temperature. The pressure for a particular gas can be found using P = \dfrac {6000}{V} where P has units \text{kg/cm}^2 and V has units \text{cm}^3.

a

Sketch a graph of the relationship P = \dfrac {6000}{V} for 0 \leq V \leq 2000.

b

Find the pressure if the volume is 1\text{ cm}^3.

c

What happens to the pressure as the volume increases?

19

The time it takes a commuter to travel 100 \text{ km} depends on how fast they are going. We can write this using the equation t = \dfrac{100}{S} where S is the speed in \text{ km/h} and t is the time taken in hours.

a

Sketch a graph of the relationship t = \dfrac{100}{S}.

b

Find the time taken if the speed travelled is 10 \text{ km/h}.

c

Find the time taken if the speed travelled is 50 \text{ km/h}.

d

If we want the travel time to decrease, what must happen to the speed of travel?

20

A graph of the hyperbola y = \dfrac{10}{x} is shown:

Given points C\left( - 4 , 0\right) and D\left(2, 0\right), find the length of interval AB.

x
y
21

Consider the hyperbola that has been graphed. Points A \left(4, 2\right), B, C \left( - 4 , k\right) and D form the vertices of a rectangle.

a

Find the value of k.

b

Hence find the area of the rectangle with vertices ABCD.

-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
x
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
y
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Outcomes

MS2-12-1

uses detailed algebraic and graphical techniques to critically evaluate and construct arguments in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts

MS2-12-6

solves problems by representing the relationships between changing quantities in algebraic and graphical forms

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