Algebra II: Direct/Inverse Variation & Translation Help

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding direct and inverse variation in algebra, as well as translating a function with specific asymptotes. Participants explore examples related to these concepts, seeking clarification and explanations.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents two sets of x and y values and asks for help in identifying whether the relationships are direct or inverse variation.
  • Another participant suggests that the first relationship can be expressed as y = -2x, but does not address the second question.
  • A participant questions how to determine if a relationship is direct or inverse variation.
  • It is explained that direct variation follows the form y = kx, while inverse variation follows y = k/x.
  • A later reply elaborates on the definitions and provides examples from the given data, indicating that the first set represents direct variation and the second set represents inverse variation.
  • For the translation problem, a participant discusses the asymptotes of the function y = 2/x and suggests how to translate it to achieve new asymptotes at x = 2 and y = 3, mentioning the need to adjust the function accordingly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definitions of direct and inverse variation, but there is no consensus on the translation problem, as it remains open for further exploration and clarification.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of understanding the definitions of direct and inverse variation while working through the problems. The translation problem involves assumptions about the behavior of the function as x approaches certain values, which are not fully resolved.

gcn_zelda
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I have a test Friday, and there are a few things that I don't understand. Here are a few examples so you know the context

1. Direct/Inverse Variation - Identify as Direct or Inverse Variation
A. x|-2| 4| 6|
y| 4|-8|-12|

B. x| -2|-1| 3|
y|-1/2|-1|1/3|

2. Translation - Write an equation for the translation of y=2/x with the give asymptotes
x = 2; y = 3


Could somebody explain these to me?
 
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The goal of the first question is to identify the relationship between the given x and y values. For the first one you have

y = -2x

Can you see the relationship in the second set of numbers?

Sorry, no time for the 2nd question now.
 
I saw the relationship between the numbers, but how do I know whether it's Direct Variation or Inverse Variation?
 
A direct relationship is defined by y = kx where k is a constant and an inverse relationship is y = k/x.

Does that help? :smile:
 
Originally posted by gcn_zelda
I saw the relationship between the numbers, but how do I know whether it's Direct Variation or Inverse Variation?

It helps a heckuva lot to know what Direct Variation and Inverse Variation mean! It would be a good idea to actually right down the definitions while you are doing these problems.

In x|-2| 4| 6|
y| 4|-8|-12|

I see that when x changes from -2 to 4 (x is multiplied by -2) y changes from 4 to -8: y is also multiplied by -2. As confirmation, when x changes from -2 to 6 (multiplied by -3), y changes from 4 to -12: also multiplied by -3. x and y change in the same way: "direct" variation

For the second problem,
x| -2 |-1| 3 |
y|-1/2|-1|1/3|

I see that when x changes from -2 to -1 (x is multiplied by 1/2), y changes from -1/2 to -1 (y is multiplied by 2: 1 over (1/2)). As confirmation, I see that when x changes from -1 to 3 (x is multiplied by -3), y changes from -1 to 1/3 (y is multiplied by -1/3). In each case y is multiplied by the reciprocal or "inverse" of the number x is multiplied by. That is "inverse" variation.

y= 2/x has vertical asymptote x= 0 for x very close to 0, the fraction "blows up". It has horizontal asymptote y= 0 since for x very large (positive or negative) y will be very close to 0. (Those are thing you would be expected to know before doing a problem like this.)

You want to "translate" the function y= 2/x so that it will have asymptotes x= 2 and y= 3. You "translate" a graph by adding or subtracting a number to or from x and y. To translate right or left (move the vertical asymptote from x= 0 to x= 2) add or subtract something from x. Specifically, you want something like y= 2/(x-a). Remember that x=0 was an asymptote of y= 2/x because that made the denominator 0. What value of a makes the denominator of y= 2/(x-a) equal to 0?
To move the horizontal asyptote from y= 0 to y= 3 add or subtract something from the y value: You now have y= 2/(x-a) (you found the correct value of a above) and y still will be close to 0 for x very large. What value of b makes y= 2/(x-a)+ b equal to 3 when x is very large?
 

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