Question

Let y = safe load in pounds and x = length in feet of a horizontal beam. A constant of proportionality k exists such that y=k/x . y varies inversely as x. Determine the constant k for a beam with y = 2,000 pounds and x = 15 feet. a. 133.3 b. 3,000 c. 30,000

Answer 1

Option c. 30,000

Explanation:

we know that

A relationship between two variables, x, and y, represent an inverse variation if it can be expressed in the form
`y*x=k` or
`y=k/x`

Let

y ----> safe load in pounds

x ----> length in feet of a horizontal beam

we have

For
`x=15\ feet, y=2,000\ pounds`

Remember that

`k=y*x`

substitute

`k=2,000*15=30,000`