Mathematics

Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

LESSON 4.4
Combined Variation
Table of Contents
Introduction 1

Test Your Prerequisite Skills 2

DepEd Competencies 2

Objectives 3

Warm-Up! 3

Learn about It! 4

Let’s Practice 6

Check Your Understanding 13

Key Point 16

Bibliography 16
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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

Lesson 4.4
Combined Variation

Fig. 1. Boxing

Introduction
Why do you think a boxer needs to lose weight before a match? With a lower weight, he can
move faster inside the boxing ring. Also, the quicker his movements are, the greater the force
of his punches. This concept is seen in Newton’s second law of motion. Acceleration is directly
𝐹
proportional to its force and inversely proportional to its mass. In symbols, 𝑎 = 𝑚.

This relationship is an example of a combined variation, which will be discussed in this

lesson.

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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

Test Your Prerequisite Skills

Before you get started, answer the following items on a separate sheet of paper. This will help
you assess your prior knowledge and practice some skills that you will need in studying this
lesson. Show your complete solution.

Solve for the indicated variable in the parenthesis.

1. 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ (ℎ)
𝑟
2. 𝐴 = 2𝐿 (𝐿)
𝑦𝑧
3. 𝑥 = 6
(𝑧)
𝑎+𝑏+𝑐
4. 𝐴 = 3
(𝑏)
2𝑦−𝑧
5. 𝑥 = 4
(𝑧)

DepEd Competencies
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Illustrate situation that involve the following variations: (a) direct; (b)
inverse; (c) joint; (d) combined (M9AL-IIa-1).

● Translate into variation statement a relationship between two quantities

given by: (a) table of values; (b) a mathematical equation; (c) a graph, and
vice versa (M9AL-IIa-b-1).

● Solve problems involving variation (M9AL-IIb-c-1).

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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Write the mathematical equation of a combined variation.

● Solve word problems involving combined variation.

Warm-Up!

Can You Name That Formula?

Materials
● pen
● paper

Instructions
1. This activity should be done individually.
2. Write all the formulas (in science) for the quantities listed below.
a. Energy
b. Inductance
c. Magnetic field
d. Coefficient of viscosity
e. Gravitational constant
3. The first one to complete all the formulas correctly will receive a reward from the
teacher.

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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

Learn about It!

All the formulas you listed in the Warm-Up! activity are examples of combined variation.

Essential Question
When do we say if the relationship that exists among variables is a combined
variation?

Like joint variation, a combined variation also refers to a relationship among more than two
variables, say 𝐹, 𝑥, and 𝑦. In this case, however, the variables may vary inversely or directly
from the others. For example, 𝐹 varies directly with 𝑥 but inversely with 𝑦, and vice versa.
Similar to the previous types of variation, there is a constant of variation 𝒌, which is usually
provided.

Essential Question
How will you differentiate direct, indirect, joint, and combined variation?

With combined variation, one situation (where 𝐹 varies directly with 𝑥 but inversely with 𝑦)
changes the joint variation equation into the following.

𝑥
𝐹∝
𝑦
𝑘𝑥
𝐹=
𝑦

𝑥
The symbol ∝ represents the variation between 𝐹 and 𝑦.

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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

Another situation (where 𝐹 varies inversely with 𝑥 but directly with 𝑦) changes the joint
variation equation into the following.

𝑦
𝐹∝
𝑥
𝑘𝑦
𝐹=
𝑥

𝑦
The symbol ∝ represents the variation between 𝐹 and 𝑥 .

The equations show varied results. Combined variation is also a more accurate
representation of change, seeing as not all change can be explained by everything increasing
or decreasing at the same time.

Furthermore, there are not many obvious key phrases for combined variation. It is possible
that problems may be worded as 𝐹 varies directly with 𝑥 and inversely with 𝑦, and vice versa.

A common example of combined variation would be that of the electrical resistance of a wire,
which varies directly as the length of the wire and inversely with its diameter. Therefore, the
following statement can be made: the electrical resistance of a wire varies directly with its length
and varies inversely with its diameter.

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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

Let’s Practice

Example 1
The variable 𝑦 varies directly as 𝑥 and inversely as the square of 𝑧. When 𝑥 = 32 and 𝑧 = 4,
𝑦 = 6. Find 𝑥 when 𝑦 = 10 and 𝑧 = 3.

Solution
Set up the equation with 𝑦 varying directly with 𝑥 and inversely with 𝑧 2 . Make the appropriate
substitutions to find the constant of variation 𝑘, then answer by substituting 𝑦 = 10 and 𝑧 = 3
into the new equation.

Step 1: Substitute 𝑥 = 32, 𝑦 = 6, and 𝑧 = 4 into the initial equation.

𝑘𝑥
𝑦=
𝑧2
32𝑘
6= 2
4
32𝑘
6=
16
6 = 2𝑘
𝑘=3

Step 2: Substitute 𝑘 = 3 into the initial equation.

3𝑥
𝑦=
𝑧2

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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

Step 3: Substitute 𝑦 = 10 and 𝑧 = 3 into the new equation from Step 2 to solve for 𝑥.

3𝑥
10 =
32
3𝑥
10 =
9
90 = 3𝑥
𝑥 = 30

Therefore, given the initial conditions, the value of 𝑥 is 30.

Try It Yourself!
The variable 𝑚 varies directly as 𝑛 and inversely as the cube of 𝑜. When 𝑚 = 24
and 𝑛 = 6, 𝑜 = 8. Find 𝑚 when 𝑛 = 12 and 𝑜 = 27.

Example 2
3
Variable 𝑦 varies jointly as 𝑥 and 𝑧 and inversely as 𝑤. If 𝑦 = 2 when 𝑥 = 2, 𝑧 = 3, and 𝑤 = 4,

then find the value of 𝑦 when 𝑥 = 8, 𝑧 = 7, and 𝑤 = 6.

Solution
Set up the equation with 𝑦 varying directly with 𝑥 and 𝑧 and inversely with 𝑤. Make the
appropriate substitutions to find the constant of variation, and then answer by
substituting 𝑥 = 8, 𝑧 = 7, and 𝑤 = 6 into the new equation.

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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

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Step 1: Substitute 𝑥 = 2, 𝑧 = 3, 𝑤 = 4, and 𝑦 = 2 into the initial equation.

𝑘𝑥𝑧
𝑦=
𝑤
3 𝑘(2)(3)
=
2 4
3 6𝑘
=
2 4
1.5 = 1.5𝑘
𝑘=1

Step 2: Substitute 𝑘 = 1 into the initial equation.

(1)𝑥𝑧 𝑥𝑧
𝑦= =
𝑤 𝑤

Step 3: Substitute 𝑥 = 8, 𝑧 = 7, and 𝑤 = 6 into the new equation from Step 2 to solve
for 𝑦.
(1)(8)(7)
𝑦=
6
56
𝑦=
6
28
𝑦=
3
𝑦 = 9.33

Therefore, given the initial conditions, the value of 𝒚 = 𝟗. 𝟑𝟑.

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Try It Yourself!
1
The variable 𝑎 varies jointly as 𝑏 and 𝑐 and inversely as 𝑑. If 𝑎 = −6 when 𝑏 = 2,
2
𝑐 = 3, and 𝑑 = −3, then find the value of 𝑎 when 𝑏 = 4, 𝑐 = −5, and 𝑑 = −3.

Example 3
Variable 𝑥 varies directly as 𝑦 and inversely as the square of 𝑧. If 𝑥 = 12 when 𝑦 = 6 and
𝑧 = 3, then find 𝑥 when 𝑦 = 9 and 𝑧 = 4.

Solution
Set up the equation with 𝑥 varying directly with 𝑦 and inversely as the square of 𝑧. Make the
appropriate substitutions to find the constant of variation, and then answer by
substituting 𝑦 = 9 and 𝑧 = 4 into the new equation.

Step 1: Substitute 𝑥 = 12, 𝑦 = 6, and 𝑧 = 3 into the initial equation.

𝑘𝑦
𝑥=
𝑧2
𝑘(6)
12 = 2
3
6𝑘
12 =
9
6𝑘
(9)12 = (9)
9
108 = 6𝑘
𝑘 = 18

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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

Step 2: Substitute 𝑘 = 18 into the initial equation.

18𝑦
𝑥=
𝑧2

Step 3: Substitute 𝑦 = 9 and 𝑧 = 4 into the new equation from Step 2 to solve for 𝑦.

18(9)
𝑥=
42
𝑥 = 10.125

Therefore, given the initial conditions, the value of 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟓.

Try It Yourself!
If 𝑦 varies jointly as 𝑥 and 𝑧, and inversely as the square root of 𝑤, and 𝑦 = 12 when
𝑥 = 3, 𝑧 = 2 and 𝑤 = 64, find 𝑦 when 𝑥 = 5, 𝑧 = 2 and 𝑤 = 25.

Real-World Problems
Example 4
Barbie found that the number of dolls sold (𝑁) varies
directly with their advertising budget (𝐴) and inversely
with the price of each doll (𝑃). When ₱600 was spent on
advertising and the price of the doll was ₱900, there
were 9,600 units sold. Determine the number of dolls
sold if the amount of advertising budget is increased to ₱24,000.

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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

Solution
Set up the equation with 𝑁 varying directly with 𝐴 and inversely with 𝑃. Make the appropriate
substitutions to find the constant of variation, then answer by substituting 𝐴 = 24,000 into the
new equation.

Step 1: Substitute 𝐴 = 600, 𝑃 = 900, 𝑁 = 9,600 into the initial equation.

𝑘𝐴
𝑁=
𝑃
𝑘(600)
9,600 =
900
8,640,000 = 600𝑘
𝑘 = 14,400

Step 2: Substitute 𝑘 = 14,400 into the initial equation.

14,400𝐴
𝑁=
𝑃

Step 3: Substitute 𝐴 = 24,000 and 𝑃 = 900 into the new equation from Step 2 to solve
for 𝑁.

14,400(24,000)
𝑁=
900
345,600,000
𝑁= = 384,000
900

Therefore, given an increase in advertising budget to ₱24,000, Barbie can sell 𝟑𝟖𝟒, 𝟎𝟎𝟎 dolls.

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Example 5
The volume 𝑉 of gas varies directly as the temperature 𝑡 and
inversely as the pressure 𝑝. The volume is 230 cm3 when the
temperature is 300 K and the pressure is 20 lb/cm2. What is the
volume when the temperature is 270 K and the pressure is
30 lb/cm2?

Solution
Set up the equation with 𝑉 varying directly with 𝑡 and inversely with 𝑝. Make the appropriate
substitutions to find the constant of variation, then answer by substituting 𝑡 = 270 and 𝑝 = 30
into the new equation.

Step 1: Substitute 𝑉 = 230, 𝑡 = 300, and 𝑝 = 20 into the initial equation.

𝑘𝑡
𝑉=
𝑝
𝑘(300)
230 =
(20)
230 = 15𝑘
𝑘 = 15.33

Step 2: Substitute 𝑘 = 15.33 into the initial equation.

15.33𝑡
𝑉=
𝑝

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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

Step 3: Substitute 𝑡 = 270 and 𝑝 = 30 into the new equation from Step 2 to solve for 𝑉.

15.33(270)
𝑉=
30
𝑉 = 137.97

Therefore, given the initial conditions, the volume of gas is 137.97 𝐜𝐦𝟑 .

Try It Yourself!
The maximum load that a cylindrical column with a circular cross section
can hold varies directly as the fourth power of the diameter and inversely
as the square of the height. A 9-meter column, which has a diameter of 2
m, will support 64 metric tons. How many metric tons can be supported by
a column 9 m high and 3 m in diameter?

Check Your Understanding

A. Translate each statement into mathematical equations. Use 𝑘 as the constant of

variation.
1. 𝑋 varies directly as 𝑦 and inversely as 𝑧.
2. 𝑌 varies directly as 𝑥 and inversely as the square of 𝑧.
3. 𝑀 varies directly as the square of 𝑛 and inversely as 𝑜.
4. 𝑦 varies directly as 𝑤 2 and inversely as the cube of 𝑥.
5. 𝑦 varies jointly as 𝑎 and 𝑏 and inversely as the square root of 𝑐.
6. 𝐹 varies directly as 𝑔 and inversely as the square of ℎ.

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7. The centrifugal force 𝑓 of an object moving in circle varies directly with the radius
𝑟 of the circular path and the mass 𝑚 of an object, and inversely as the square of
time 𝑡.
8. The number of minutes 𝑚 needed to solve an exercise set of mathematical
problems varies directly as the number of problems 𝑝 and inversely as the
number of people 𝑤 working on the solutions.
9. The electrical resistance 𝑅 of a wire varies directly as its length 𝑙 and inversely as
the square of its diameter 𝑑.
10. The maximum load 𝑚 of a beam varies directly as the breadth 𝑏 and the square
of the depth 𝑑 and inversely as the length 𝑙.

B. Solve for the missing variable.

1. If 𝑌 varies directly as 𝑥 and inversely as the square of 𝑧, then 𝑌 = 4 when 𝑥 = 18
and 𝑧 = 6. Find
i. 𝑌 when 𝑥 = 3 and 𝑧 = 27.
ii. 𝑥 when 𝑧 = 5 and 𝑌 = 6.
iii. 𝑧 when 𝑌 = 4 and 𝑥 = 9.

2. Variable 𝑚 varies directly as 𝑛 and the square of 𝑜 and inversely as 𝑝. Let 𝑘 = 2.

i. Find 𝑚 when 𝑛 = 40, 𝑜 = 5, and 𝑝 = 4.
ii. Find 𝑛 when 𝑚 = 8, 𝑜 = 6, and 𝑝 = 9.
iii. Find 𝑝 when 𝑛 = 10, 𝑜 = 5, and 𝑚 = 2.

3. If 𝑅 varies directly as 𝑆 and inversely as the square root of 𝑇, then 𝑅 = 18 when

𝑆 = 6 and 𝑇 = 16. Find
i. 𝑅 when 𝑆 = 8 and 𝑇 = 25.
ii. 𝑆 when 𝑅 = 24 and 𝑇 = 81.

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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

iii. 𝑇 when 𝑅 = 14 and 𝑆 = 12.

C. Solve the following problems.

1. The average number of phone calls per day between two cities has been found
to vary directly with the combined population of the cities and vary inversely as
the square of the distance between the two cities. The population of Cebu is
about 1 500 000 while that of Cagayan de Oro is about 1 200 000, and the distance
between the two cities is about 400 miles. Suppose the average number of calls
between the cities is about 200 000. Find the constant of variation.

2. The current 𝐼 varies directly as the electromotive force 𝐹 and inversely as the
resistance 𝑅. If in a system, a current of 20 A flows through a resistance of 20 Ω
with an electromotive force of 100 V, find the current that 150 V will send through
the system.

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Grade 9 • Unit 4: Variation

Key Point

● Combined variation is the relationship between two or more variables with direct
and inverse variations. The statement 𝑡 varies directly as 𝑥 and inversely as 𝑦 means
𝑘𝑥
𝑡= 𝑦
, where 𝑘 is the constant of variation.

Bibliography

“5.10 Joint and Combined Variation.” cK-12, August 29, 2018.

https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-elementary-intermediate-college-
algebra/section/5.10/primary/lesson/joint-and-combined-variation-c-alg/.

“Combined Variation Examples.” Shmoop. Shmoop University, November 11, 2008.

https://www.shmoop.com/rational-functions/combined-rational-variation-
examples.html.

“Joint And Combined Variation Word Problems.” www.onlinemathlearning.com. Accessed

May 11, 2022. https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/joint-variation.html.

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