If z varies inversely as w squared​, and zequals20 when wequals2​, find z when wequals5.

1 answer

If \( z \) varies inversely as \( w^2 \), we can express this relationship as:

\[ z = \frac{k}{w^2} \]

where \( k \) is a constant.

From the information provided, we know that \( z = 20 \) when \( w = 2 \). We can use this to find the value of \( k \):

\[ 20 = \frac{k}{2^2} \]

This simplifies to:

\[ 20 = \frac{k}{4} \]

Multiplying both sides by 4 gives:

\[ k = 80 \]

Now that we have \( k \), we can use it to find \( z \) when \( w = 5 \):

\[ z = \frac{80}{5^2} \]

Calculating \( 5^2 \):

\[ 5^2 = 25 \]

So:

\[ z = \frac{80}{25} \]

This simplifies to:

\[ z = \frac{16}{5} = 3.2 \]

Thus, when \( w = 5 \), \( z = 3.2 \).