what is inverse variation

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In an inverse variation, one variable will increase while the other will decrease in terms of k. Remember the direct variation (y = kx)? In a direct variation, both the variables either increased or decreased in terms of k.An inverse variation is modeled by the equation:y = k / xRemember that there is no 'b' in direct or inverse variations! In order to find k, you isolate k by itself in the equation (k = xy). Once you have k, plug the value in for k, and you have your inverse variation!When you graph an inverse variation, it's nothing like a direct variation. When you graph a direct variation, it's just a straight line, right? Well, graphing an inverse variation resembles a curve where the line drops down, curves to the right, then gets progressively closer to the x-axis as x increases. This shows how one variable, like y, decreases as another variable, x, increases and vice versa.Hope this clears up inverse variations. Brightstorm also has a math help video:Inverse Variation