The fuel consumption in miles per gallon for a car varies inversely with its weight. Suppose a car that weighs 2800 pounds get 33 miles per gallon on the highway. Write the equation that relates y, the fuel consumption in miles per gallon, to the car's weight, w pounds.

y=0.01179/w

Step-by-step explanation:

First understand that the fuel consumption in miles per gallon is inversely proportional to the weight of a car.

If y is the fuel consumption in miles per gallon and w is weight of car in pounds. you can write the first statement as;

y∝1/w

Introduce a constant value for proportionality, k

y=k/w ... make k subject of the formula by multiplying both sides by 1/w

k=y/w

Given in the question that;

w=2800

y=33

k=?

To find k, apply the formula that you derived above

k=y/w

k=33/2800 = 0.011785⇒0.01178 (4 significant figures)

Rewrite the formula as

y=k/w ⇒ y=0.01179/w

The equation that relates y and w is;

y=0.01179/w