The whole number used to complete the equation will be 40.
The relationship between two quantities varies inversely when an increase in one causes a decrease in the other, and vice versa.
Since the Pressure applied to a steak knife, [tex]p(a)[/tex], varies inversely as the contact area of the steak knife, [tex]a[/tex], the relationship will be
[tex]p(a)\propto \dfrac{1}{a}\\\\p(a)=\dfrac{k}{a}[/tex]
From the question, we need to find the value of the constant, [tex]k[/tex]. The constant will remain the same even though the area changes.
To calculate the constant, substitute the given values for [tex]p(a)[/tex] and [tex]a[/tex]
[tex]p(a)=\dfrac{k}{a}\\\\10=\dfrac{k}{4}\\\\k=10\times4=40kg.mm[/tex]
The whole number used to complete the equation will be 40. Our new equation will be
[tex]p(a)=\dfrac{40}{a}[/tex]
Learn more about inverse variation here https://brainly.com/question/4838941
