16Hit1600
Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisVery hardChoosing an inverse model

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

The table shows the time y, in hours, that a job takes when x workers share it equally. x | y 1 | 10 2 | 5 4 | 2.5 Which equation best models the relationship between x and y?

  1. A. y = 10/xCorrect
  2. B. y = 10 − 2.5x
  3. C. y = 10(0.5)ˣ
  4. D. y = 10 − 5x

Answer: A. y = 10/x

Doubling the workers halves the time, and xy = 10 for every row: y = 10/x.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. y = 10 − 2.5x
At x = 4 this gives 0, not 2.5.
C. y = 10(0.5)ˣ
At x = 1 this gives 5, not 10.
D. y = 10 − 5x
At x = 2 this gives 0, not 5.

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