Theorem of Joint Variation

Here we will discuss about the Theorem of Joint Variation with the detailed explanation.

The theorem of joint variation can be established by stating the relationship between three variables which are separately in direct variation with each other.

Theorem of Joint Variation: If x ∝ y when z is constant and x ∝ z when y is constant, then x ∝ yz when both y and z vary.

Proof:

Since x ∝ y when z is constant.

Therefore x = ky where k = constant of variation and is independent to the changes of x and y that means the value of K doesn’t change for any value of X and Y.

Again, x ∝ z when y is constant.

or, ky ∝ z when y is constant (By putting ky in place of x we get).

or, k ∝ z (y is constant).

or, k = mz where m is a constant which is independent to the changes of k and z that means the value of m doesn’t change for any value of k and z.

Now, the value of k is independent to the changes of x and y. Hence, the value of m is independent to the changes of x, y and z.

Therefore x = ky = myz (since, k = mz)

where m is a constant whose value does not depend on x, y and z.

Therefore x ∝ yz when both y and z vary.

Note: (i) The above theorem can be extended for a longer number of variables. For example, if A ∝ B when C and D are constants, A ∝ C when B and D are constants and A ∝ D when B and C are constants, thee A ∝ BCD when B, C and D all vary.

(ii) If x ∝ y when z is constant and x ∝ 1/Z when y is constant, then x ∝ y when both y and z vary.

So in this theorem we use the principle of direct variation to prove that how joint variation works for to establish a correlation among more than two variables.

For solving a problems related to the theory of joint variation first we need to solve by following steps.

1. Build the correct equation by adding a constant and relate the variables.

2. We need to determine the value of the constant from the given data.

3. Substitute the value of the constant in the equation.

4. Put the values of variables for required situation and determine the answer.

Now we will see some problems and solutions related to the theorem of joint variation:

1. The variable x is in joint variation with y and z. When the values of y and z are 2 and 3, x is 16. What is the value of x when y = 8 and z =12?

The equation for the given problem of joint variation is

x = Kyz where K is the constant.

For the given data

16 = K × 2 × 3

or, K = $\frac{8}{3}$

So substituting the value of K the equation becomes

x = $\frac{8yz}{3}$

Now for the required condition

x = $\frac{8 × 8 × 12}{3}$ = 256

Hence the value of x will be 256.

2. A is in joint variation with B and square of C. When A = 144, B = 4 and C = 3. Then what is the value of A when B = 6 and C = 4?

From the given problem equation for the joint variation is

A = KBC²

From the given data value of the constant K is

K = $\frac{BC^{2}}{A}$

K = $\frac{4 × 3^{2}}{144}$ = $\frac{36}{144}$ = $\frac{1}{4}$.

Substituting the value of K in the equation

A = $\frac{BC^{2}}{4}$

A = $\frac{6 × 4^{2}}{4}$ = 24

Some Useful Results:

Theorem of Joint Variation

(i) If A ∝ B, then B ∝ A.

(ii) If A ∝ B and B∝ C, then A ∝ C.

(iii) If A ∝ B, then Aᵇ ∝ Bᵐ where m is a constant.

(iv) If A ∝ BC, then B ∝ A/C and C ∝ A/B.

(v) If A ∝ C and B ∝ C, then A + B ∝ C and AB ∝ C²

(vi) If A ∝ B and C ∝ D, then AC ∝ BD and A/C ∝ B/D

Now we are going to proof the useful results with step-by-step detailed explanation

Proof: (i) If A ∝ B, then B ∝ A.

Since, A ∝ B Therefore A = kB, where k = constant.

or, B = 1/K ∙ A Therefore B ∝ A. (since,1/K = constant)

Proof: (ii) If A ∝ B and B ∝ C, then A ∝ C.

Since, A ∝ B Therefore A = mB where, m = constant

Again, B ∝ C Therefore B = nC where n= constant.

Therefore A= mB = mnC = kC where k = mn = constant, as m and n are both Constants.

Therefore A ∝ C.

Proof: (iii) If A ∝ B, then Aᵇ ∝ Bᵐ where m is a constant.

Since A ∝ B Therefore A = kB where k= constant.

Aᵐ = KᵐBᵐ = n ∙ Bᵐ where n = kᵐ = constant, as k and m are both constants.

Therefore Aᵐ ∝ Bᵐ.

Results (iv), (v) and (vi) can be deduced by similar procedure.

Summarisation:

(i) If A varies directly as B, then A ∝ B or, A = kB where k is the constant of variation. Conversely, if A = kB i.e., A/B = k where k is a constant, then A varies directly as B.

(ii) If A varies inversely as B, then A ∝ 1/B or, A= m ∙ 1/B or, AB= m where m = constant of variation. Conversely, if AB = k (a constant), then A varies inversely as B.

(iii) If A varies jointly as B and C, then A ∝ BC or A = kBC where k = constant of variation.

● Variation