DIRECT VARIATION
What is it and how do I know when I see it?
Definition:
When two quantities increase at the same time
or decrease at the same time, it show direct
variation
Y varies directly as x means that y = kx
where k is the constant of variation.
y
Another way of writing this is k =
x
In other words:
* the constant of variation (k) in a direct variation
is the constant (unchanged) ratio of two variable
quantities.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Note: X increases,
X Y
6 12 6,7,8
7 14 And Y increases.
8 16
12, 14, 16
What is the constant of variation of the table above?
y
Since y = kx we can say k Therefore:
x
12/6=k or k = 2 14/7=k or k = 2 y = 2x is the
equation!
16/8=k or k =2 Note k stays constant.
Example 2
Note: X decreases,
X Y 10, 5, 3
10 30 And Y decreases.
5 15
30, 15, 9
3 9
What is the constant of variation of the table above?
y
Since y = kx we can say k Therefore:
x
30/10=k or k = 3 15/5=k or k = 3 y = 3x is the
equation!
9/3=k or k =3 Note k stays constant.
Example 3
Note: X decreases,
X Y -4, -16, -40
-4 -1
And Y decreases.
-16 -4
-40 -10 -1,-4,-10
What is the constant of variation of the table above?
y
Since y = kx we can say k Therefore:
x
y = ¼ x is the
-1/-4=k or k = ¼ -4/-16=k or k = ¼
equation!
-10/-40=k or k = ¼ Note k stays constant.
Using Direct Variation to find unknowns (y = kx)
Example 4: Given that y varies directly with x, and y =
28 when x=7, Find x when y = 52.
2 step process
X Y
1. Find the constant variation
7 28
k = y/x or k = 28/7 = 4
k=4 ? 52
2. Use y = kx. Find the unknown (x).
Therefore:
52= 4x or 52/4 = x
X =13 when Y=52
x= 13
Using Direct Variation to find unknowns (y = kx)
Example 5: Given that y varies directly with x, and y = 3
when x=9,
Find y when x = 40.5.
2 step process X Y
1. Find the constant variation.
9 3
k = y/x or k = 3/9 = 1/3
40.5 ?
K = 1/3
2. Use y = kx. Find the unknown (x).
Therefore:
y= (1/3)40.5
X =40.5 when
y= 13.5 Y=13.5
Using Direct Variation to find unknowns (y = kx)
Example 6: Given that y varies directly with x, and y = 6
when x=-5,
Find y when x = -8. HOW???
2 step process
X Y
1. Find the constant variation.
-5 6
k = y/x or k = 6/-5 = -1.2
k = -1.2 -8 ?
2. Use y = kx. Find the unknown (x).
y= -1.2(-8) Therefore:
x= 9.6 X =-8 when Y=9.6
Examples of Direct Square Variation:
Examples of Direct Square Variation:
PRACTICE
EXERCISES
1) What is the constant of
variation for the following direct
variation?
X Y
1. 2
4 -8
2. -2 8 -16
-6 12
3. -½ 3 -6
4. ½
Answer
Now 0% 0% 0% 0%
2) Is this a direct variation? If yes, give the
constant of variation (k) and the equation.
X Y Yes!
4 6
k = 6/4 or 3/2
8 12
Equation?
12 18
y = 3/2 x
18 27
3) Is this a direct variation? If yes, give the
constant of variation (k) and the equation.
X Y Yes!
10 25
k = 25/10 or 5/2
6 15
k = 10/4 or 5/2
4 10
2 5 Equation?
y = 5/2 x
4) Is this a direct variation? If yes, give the
constant of variation (k) and the equation.
X Y No!
15 5
The k values are
3 26 different!
1 75
2 150
5) Which of the following is a
direct variation?
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D Answer
Now
0% 0% 0% 0%
6) Which is the equation that
describes the following table of
values?
1. y = -2x X Y
2. y = 2x 10 5
2 1
3. y = ½ x
12 6
4. xy = 200 20 10
Answer
0% 0% 0% 0%
Now
PRACTICE EXERCISE
If y varies directly as x and
y = 35 when x=7, what is the
value of x when y = 30
PRACTICE EXERCISE
y varies directly as the square of
x. If y = 100 when x = 5, find x
when y = 80.
