Question

In rectangles of area one square metre, as the length of one side changes, so does the length of the other side. Write the relation between the lengths as an algebraic equation. How do we say this in the language of proportions?

Answer 1

Area of the rectangle is the sum product of length and breadth.

Let × be the length and y be the breadth, then

x × y = 1 m²

x = 1/y = m 

Example when y = 3 m 

x = 1/3 meter 

when y = 4 m 

x = 1/4 meter 

The algebraic equation is x = 1/y 

i.e., length of rectangle is proportional to the reciprocal of the breadth, i.e., length of rectangle is proportional to its breadth.