Why do we multiply two directly proportional things?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Frigus
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Proportional
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of direct proportionality in mathematical and physical contexts, specifically addressing the relationship between variables such as pressure (P), volume (V), and temperature (T) in the ideal gas law, represented as PV=nRT. Participants clarify that when two variables are directly proportional, such as x being proportional to both y and z, the relationship can be expressed as x=kyz only under specific conditions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding direct and inverse variation, particularly in the context of gravitational force, where the force is proportional to the product of two masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of direct and inverse proportionality
  • Familiarity with the ideal gas law (PV=nRT)
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills
  • Knowledge of gravitational force equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the ideal gas law (PV=nRT) and its implications
  • Learn about gravitational force and its mathematical representation (Fg = G(m1*m2)/r^2)
  • Explore direct and inverse variation in algebra with practical examples
  • Investigate the concept of constants of proportionality in physical equations
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics and mathematics, educators explaining proportional relationships, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of algebraic expressions in physical laws.

Frigus
Messages
337
Reaction score
163
when we say one term is directly proportional to something for example if I say x directly proportional to y and I also say x is also directly proportional to z then why we multiply y and z when we say x is directly proportional to something whose value is yz.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Directly proportional means that given a relation ##x=f(y)##,
$$\frac {x_1} {x_2} = \frac {y_1} {y_2}$$
for ##x_1 = f(y_1)## and ##x_2=f(y_2)##. Then if ##x=yz##,
$$\frac {x_1} {x_2} = \frac {y_1z} {y_2z}=\frac {y_1} {y_2}$$
so ##x## is directly proportional to ##y##, and
$$\frac {x_1} {x_2} = \frac {yz_1} {yz_2}=\frac {z_1} {z_2}$$
so ##x## is directly proportional to ##z##.
 
Look directly into the literal meaning of the language for joint & inverse variation!

x directly proportional to y
Let a constant be k.
x=ky

x is also directly proportional to z
let a constant be c.
x=czThose are two formulas for x. The expressions are equal.
ky=cz
or alternatively
y=(c/k)z, where the number c/k is a constant, and this shows y is directly proportional to z.
This did NOT produce your expression yz.
 
So sir how can we get the expression x=kyz
 
Hemant said:
So sir how can we get the expression x=kyz
What are you trying to figure out? Do you have a specific example? Like ##PV=nRT##?
 
Hemant said:
So sir how can we get the expression x=kyz
We do not automatically get the equation (not expression) x=kyz, unless our numbers are defined or described to show x=kyz. In English worded description, this formula says, "x is directly proportional to y and z."

I may be misunderstanding what you are really try to ask.
 
tnich said:
What are you trying to figure out? Do you have a specific example? Like ##PV=nRT##?
Yes sir,this is the the best example which I can use to tell what I want to say when we say Pv is directly proportional to n,t why do we multiply n and t.
 
I think you are approaching it backwards. If you apply what we have shown you, you will see that ##PV## is directly proportional to ##n## and to ##T##. Now that you have learned this pattern, you can apply it in similar situations.
 
Hemant, that example formula, PV=nRT is based on some measurable physical properties which a theory was given, and experimentally found to work well. The variation constant in the formula is R. You could translate the given formula as "The product of P and V is directly proportional to n and T."
 
  • #10
tnich said:
I think you are approaching it backwards. If you apply what we have shown you, you will see that ##PV## is directly proportional to ##n## and to ##T##. Now that you have learned this pattern, you can apply it in similar situations.
Notice in post #2 that when you check the proportionality of ##x## and ##y## by varying ##y##, ##z## does not change. You can look at proportionality one pair of variables at a time while holding all other variables constant. So you can multiply ##y## and ##z## together and it does not change their proportionality with ##x##.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: mfb
  • #11
Sir please explain me this I am very confused if I say gravitational phone directly proportional to m1 and also to m2 and inversely proportional to square of distance between them why do we while combining these term multiply all these terms
 
  • #12
Hemant said:
Sir please explain me this I am very confused if I say gravitational phone directly proportional to m1 and also to m2 and inversely proportional to square of distance between them why do we while combining these term multiply all these terms
A few moments of thought, and my response is,... Basic Physical Science and then expressing the theory as an algebraic formula. The language for describing direct and inverse variation is extremely precise and uncomplicated. Simply learn it, and learn to use it. For the gravitation equation about force, the measurements and testing came first, then someone or some people developed the theory and formula; which probably came as the arithmetic or algebraic formula first (just my guess). Why the multiplication by both masses and then divide by square of distance between them - that is the theory AND the corresponding formula.

You will learn about direct and inverse variation when you study intermediate algebra (depending on where you obtain your mathematical education).
 
  • #13
Sir please don't get offend from my reply as I am again and again asking many questions but I am getting through very hard time because I can't understand it.
Please help me to figure out where I am wrong if I say gravitational force is directly proportional to m1 so I can write gravitational force=k1 m1 and also for second mass m2 gravitational force=M2K2 where k1 and K2 are some constants and I can also write gravitational force is inversely proportional to the square of distance between them then I can write gravitational force is equal to k3/r^2 so by combining at by multiplying all the three terms I will get

Fg^3(gravitational force)=(k1)(K2)(k3)(m1)(m2)(m3)/r^2

Then Fg=3√(k1)(K2)(k3)(m1)(m2)/r^2
 
  • #14
Hemant said:
Sir please don't get offend from my reply as I am again and again asking many questions but I am getting through very hard time because I can't understand it.
Please help me to figure out where I am wrong if I say gravitational force is directly proportional to m1 so I can write gravitational force=k1 m1 and also for second mass m2 gravitational force=M2K2 where k1 and K2 are some constants and I can also write gravitational force is inversely proportional to the square of distance between them then I can write gravitational force is equal to k3/r^2 so by combining at by multiplying all the three terms I will get

Fg^3(gravitational force)=(k1)(K2)(k3)(m1)(m2)(m3)/r^2

Then Fg=3√(k1)(K2)(k3)(m1)(m2)/r^2

First, the gravitational force is proportional to ##m_1## only when ##m_2## and ##r## are fixed. This is what you mean when you say two things are proportional (or inversely proportional): you assume every other variable is fixed.

In this case, if we assume that ##r## is fixed, then:

##F = k_1m_1## and ##F = k_2m_2## implies ##k_1m_1 = k_2 m2##, hence ##k_2 = k_1 m_1/m_2##

This gives us: ##F = k_2m_2 = (k_1m_1/m_2)m_2 = k_4 m_1m_2##.

Where ##k_4 = k_1/m_2 = k_2/m_1##.

Now, if we also have ##F = k_3/r^2##, then:

##k_3/r^2 = k_4 m_1 m_2##

Hence:

##k_4 = k/r^2##, where ##k = k_3/(m_1 m_2)##

And, finally,

##F = km_1m_2/r^2##

Note that in this equation, if we fix ##m_2## and ##r##, say, then the constant of proportionality between ##F## and ##m_1## is ##km_2/r^2## and not just ##k##.
 
  • #15
Hemant, let me give you two pieces of advice I gave you before.

Vanadium 50 said:
Hemant, you are replying immediately to the messages you get, I think you will have a better outcome if you think about what people say before responding - it can take a few moments.

Vanadium 50 said:
If you want to understand physics, you need to put more effort in.

You've disregarded both, and now you're unhappy. I think if you were to take this advice seriously, you'd be happier.
 
  • #16
symbolipoint said:
Hemant, that example formula, PV=nRT is based on some measurable physical properties which a theory was given, and experimentally found to work well. The variation constant in the formula is R. You could translate the given formula as "The product of P and V is directly proportional to n and T."
Thanks a lot sir today I understood (after many day😅) how does this work,

I agained opened the site and started reading from 1st post and when I reached this I understood the thing which you was trying to explain me and also perok and tnich sir.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: tnich and symbolipoint

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
5K