Inverse Variation: Solving Problem Formula

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Coder74
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What is the formula to solving a problem like this?
Thanks in advance!

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  • Word problem text stating that pressure P varies inversely with shoe sole area A for a 160-pound person, with P = 4 lbs/in² when A = 40 in², followed by a fill-in equation P = [?] over [blank].
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The statement that pressure $P$ varies inversely with area $A$ may be written mathematically as:

$$P=\frac{k}{A}\tag{1}$$

Where $k$ is called the constant of proportionality. We may determine $k$ from the information provided, namely that we know the pressure for a given area. We are given:

$$(A,P)=(40,4)$$

Substitute that ordered pair into equation (1), and then solve for $k$...what do you get? You should in fact find that the value of $k$ makes perfect sense here. ;)