Calculating Magnitude A: Inverse And Direct Proportionality

by Tom Lembong 60 views
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Hey guys! Let's dive into a cool math problem involving inverse and direct proportionality. This is a classic concept, but don't worry, we'll break it down step by step to make it super clear. We are going to find out how to calculate the value of magnitude A considering that it's inversely proportional to the square of B and directly proportional to the cube of C. We'll use the information provided to figure out how A changes when B and C change. Ready to get started? Let's go!

Understanding Inverse and Direct Proportionality

Alright, before we jump into the problem, let's make sure we're all on the same page about inverse and direct proportionality. Think of it like this: If two things are directly proportional, when one goes up, the other goes up too, and when one goes down, the other goes down as well. Imagine you're buying apples: the more apples you buy, the more you pay. Simple, right? That's direct proportionality in action. Now, inverse proportionality is a bit different. When two things are inversely proportional, as one goes up, the other goes down, and vice versa. Think about speed and time. If you travel at a higher speed, the time it takes to get somewhere decreases. That's the core idea. In our problem, A is inversely proportional to the square of B which means that as B increases, A decreases, and it decreases faster because of the square. On the other hand, A is directly proportional to the cube of C. So, as C increases, A increases, and it increases even faster because of the cube. We'll use a constant (k) to tie these relationships together in a mathematical equation. Understanding these relationships is the key to solving this kind of problem. Now we are ready to move on the problem and crack it.

Now, let’s get into the specifics of this problem. We're told that magnitude A is inversely proportional to the square of magnitude B and directly proportional to the cube of magnitude C. The wording is very important here. In math language, this means we can write the relationship as: A is proportional to C³ / B². To turn this proportionality into an equation, we need a constant, often called k. This constant represents the factor that makes the relationship exact. So, we can rewrite it as: A = k * (C³ / B²). Our goal is to find this constant k using the initial values provided in the problem. Then, we can use that value of k to solve for A when B and C change.

Setting up the Equation and Finding the Constant (k)

Okay, let's get our hands dirty and start solving this. The problem gives us a starting point: when A = 24, B = 6, and C = 2. We can use these values to find the constant k. Our equation is: A = k * (C³ / B²). Let's plug in the initial values:

24 = k * (2³ / 6²)

Now, let’s simplify this equation to solve for k. First, let's calculate the values inside the parentheses:

2³ = 8 6² = 36

So, our equation becomes:

24 = k * (8 / 36)

Next, simplify the fraction 8/36 to 2/9. The equation now looks like this:

24 = k * (2 / 9)

To isolate k, multiply both sides of the equation by 9/2:

24 * (9 / 2) = k

Calculate the left side: 24 * 9 = 216, then divide by 2, which gives you 108.

Therefore, k = 108. We have now found the constant of proportionality, which is the key to solving the problem! Knowing k is essential because it allows us to predict the value of A when B and C change. Now, we are ready to apply this constant to new values of B and C to find the new value of A. Remember, the equation we will be using is A = k * (C³ / B²).

Calculating A with New Values

Fantastic! Now that we have the constant k (which is 108), we can figure out the value of A when B = 16 and C = 4. Remember our equation: A = k * (C³ / B²). We know that k = 108. Let’s plug in the new values of B and C:

A = 108 * (4³ / 16²)

First, let's calculate the values inside the parentheses:

4³ = 64 16² = 256

So our equation is now:

A = 108 * (64 / 256)

Next, simplify the fraction. 64/256 simplifies to 1/4. So we have:

A = 108 * (1 / 4)

Finally, multiply 108 by 1/4 (or divide 108 by 4). This gives us:

A = 27

Therefore, when B = 16 and C = 4, the value of A is 27. We started with the initial condition to find the proportionality constant, which we then used to calculate A with the new values. This method is applicable to any inverse and direct proportionality problem of this type. We have successfully solved the problem by applying the formula and our understanding of proportionality.

Summary and Key Takeaways

Let’s recap what we've learned, guys. We started with the relationship where A is inversely proportional to the square of B and directly proportional to the cube of C. We used the initial values to find the constant k. Then, we used that constant and the new values of B and C to calculate the new value of A. The important thing is understanding the concepts of inverse and direct proportionality. Remember: Inverse proportionality means one quantity increases as the other decreases, and direct proportionality means both quantities increase or decrease together. Always set up your equation with the constant k to link the different variables. Finally, practice makes perfect! The more you work through these types of problems, the easier they'll become. Keep up the great work!

Here's a quick rundown of the steps:

  1. Understand the relationships: Recognize inverse and direct proportionality.
  2. Write the equation: A = k * (C³ / B²)
  3. Find the constant (k): Use the initial values to solve for k.
  4. Calculate A: Use the new values of B and C and the value of k to find the new value of A. That’s it! This approach helps break down complex problems, making them manageable. Always start by clearly identifying the knowns and unknowns, then systematically apply the relevant formulas. The concepts discussed here, are really fundamental in mathematics and are used extensively in many fields.

In summary, we successfully calculated the value of A by understanding and applying the principles of inverse and direct proportionality. We found the constant of proportionality using initial values and then used it to determine the value of A with new conditions. Keep practicing, and you will become experts in solving similar problems!