Chapter 1: Problem 7
Write an equation that expresses the statement. 2 is proportional to the square root of \(y\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The equation is \( 2 = k \sqrt{y} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand Proportionality Statement
When we say that a quantity is proportional to another, it means that the two quantities change at a constant rate. Mathematically, this can be expressed using a constant of proportionality, denoted as \( k \).
02
Identify the Proportionality Relation
The statement given is "2 is proportional to the square root of \( y \)." In mathematical terms, this can be expressed as \( 2 = k \sqrt{y} \), where \( k \) is the constant of proportionality.
03
Rewrite the Equation
The goal is to write an equation that not only represents the described situation but also includes a proportionality constant. The equation from Step 2 is already correctly expressing this: \( 2 = k \sqrt{y} \). Nonetheless, you can express \( k \) explicitly by rearranging the equation.
04
Solving for the Constant (if needed)
In the exercise, it's not strictly necessary to solve for \( k \) since the equation just needs to express the statement. However, if given any additional information about \( y \), \( k \) could be solved. For instance, if \( y = 4 \), then \( k = 1 \).
05
State the Final Equation
The final equation that expresses the original statement is \( 2 = k \sqrt{y} \). This equation represents that 2 is directly proportional to the square root of \( y \) with \( k \) as the proportionality constant.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding the Square Root
The term 'square root' is a fundamental concept in mathematics. When you find the square root of a number, you are essentially looking for a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives you the original number. Simply put, if \(x = \sqrt{y}\), then \(x^2 = y\). This can be a crucial operation in understanding relationships and patterns in math problems.
- The square root of a positive number always results in a positive number.
- You will often see it written with the radical symbol \(\sqrt{}\).
- For example, the square root of 9 is 3, because \(3 \times 3 = 9\).
The Constant of Proportionality Explained
When dealing with proportional relationships, an important term you will encounter is the 'constant of proportionality.' It essentially translates a direct proportional relationship into a mathematical equation. The constant of proportionality, denoted by \(k\), shows how one quantity changes in relation to another.
- If two quantities are proportional, their ratio remains constant.
- For example, if \(2 = k \sqrt{y}\), \(k\) ensures the relationship between 2 and \(\sqrt{y}\) is maintained.
- This means that for any change in \(\sqrt{y}\), the value of 2 changes proportional to it due to \(k\).
Formulating a Mathematical Expression
A mathematical expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and operators signifying a mathematical relationship. Expressions are the backbone of problem-solving as they allow us to translate real-world situations into readable and manipulatable forms. For instance, in our exercise, the problem is summarized as \(2 = k \sqrt{y}\).
- This equation neatly encapsulates the relationship described in the problem.
- It combines numbers, the concept of a square root, and the constant \(k\), to provide a complete algebraic summary.
- Manipulating expressions helps in solving for unknowns, such as finding \(k\) if specific values of \(y\) are known.