Question

Write an inverse variation to model the situation and answer the question. Two rectangular fields have the same area. One measures 75 yd by 60 yd. If the other has a length of 72 yd, what is its width? Explain your answer and the steps you have taken to obtain it.

Answer 1

Step 1: Use the equation y =
`(k)/(s)` in solving inverse variation problems
y =
`(k)/(s)` ⇒ w =
`(k)/(l)`

w = width
l = length
k = area

Step 2. Find the value of k by substituting the given information, where:
w = 60 yd
l = 75 yd

60 =
`(k)/(75)`
k = 4500 yd²

Step 3. Rewrite the standard equation by substituting the value of
k = 4500 yd²

w =
`(4500)/(l)`

Step 4. Substitute l = 72 yd to find the width of the second field
w =
`(4500)/(72)`
w = 62.5 yd