The Student Room Group

How do you answer this maths question?

I'm doing some work on direct and inverse proportion and I stumbled on this question which I don't understand. How do you answer it? many thanks

The variable P is inversely proportional to Q^2 i.e. P=k/Q^2

Q is increased by 40%.

What is the percentage change in P in percentage terms?
Original post by choondy1
I'm doing some work on direct and inverse proportion and I stumbled on this question which I don't understand. How do you answer it? many thanks

The variable P is inversely proportional to Q^2 i.e. P=k/Q^2

Q is increased by 40%.

What is the percentage change in P in percentage terms?


If Q increases by 40%, what does Q^2 increase by? And why am I asking you this?
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 2
Original post by SeanFM
If Q increases by 40%, what does Q^2 increase by? And why am I asking you this?


I assume that you multiply Q by 1.4 so you'll end up with (1.4Q)^2, which is 1.96Q^2. That's as far as I got so far.
Original post by choondy1
I assume that you multiply Q by 1.4 so you'll end up with (1.4Q)^2, which is 1.96Q^2. That's as far as I got so far.


Well done, that is right :h: So in terms of P from before, what is k/(1.96)Q^2?

Quick Reply

Latest