Constants of Proportionality

Constants of Proportionality
Words to remember
proportionality when one variable changes with respect to another variable by a

constant amount
Questions
1. Copy and complete the working below for each graph. Part a) has been completed for you.
Note: Any point on the graph can be used to solve for the constant of proportionality k.
a) b)
Above is a straight line passing through the Above is a straight line passing through the
–
origin
y
–
x K Z Therefore, is proportional to Therefore, is to
We can say, y = kx We can say, K = kZ
Using a point on the graph (5, 10) to find k: Using a point on the graph (4, −80) to find k:
10 = 5k −80 = 4k
10 ÷ 5 = 5k ÷ 5 −80 ÷ 4 = 4k ÷ 4
k = 2 k =
–
y = 2x
–
So, So,
Copyright © Maths Pathway 2019. Reproduction for classroom use permitted. ACMNA208 Page 1 of 11
c) d)
–
–
–
Above is a passing through the Above is a passing through the
–
–
–
Therefore, Therefore,
We can say, a = kt
–
( , 60 Using a point on the graph ) to find k:
60 = k
–
–
–
So, So,
2. Write down the variables involved in the following, and state if the variables are proportional to
each other.
Hint: Think about the graph that might be formed if you plotted the relationship.
a) A mobile phone company charges customers 10 cents per minute for a phone call.
b) The total score for a team in an AFL match is based on 6 points for any goal scored, and one
point for a behind.
c) The total score for a team in a soccer match equals the number of goals that team scores.
d) A car uses up 35 L of petrol for every 100 km travelled.
e) The area of a rectangle with a fixed width of 5 cm has a length that keeps expanding.
3. The following graph shows the distance a car travels on the y- axis in km, versus the time taken
in hours to travel that distance on the x-axis.
a) Find the proportionality constant between distance and time for this car.
b) Copy and complete the blanks in the following sentence which shows that the proportionality
relationship describes the quantity known as ‘speed’
–
= Units of distance
–
= Units of time
y
–
–
x km : hrRatio of to points on the line , including the units
km
–
–
= = km/hrProportionality constant
hr
c) A second plot shows the distance a car travels for a journey including a stop at shopping
centre. Is the relationship between the distance and the time taken a proportional relationship
in this case?
4. A scientist collects some data to determine whether there is a relationship between the time it
takes for a cup of water (250 mL) to heat up from 0 to 100 C. She heats the water over a
∘ ∘
Bunsen burner.
Time (mins) 0 4 8 12 16 20
Temperature
∘ 0 5 17 36 60 100
( C)
a) Plot the data with the time on the x-axis, and the temperature of the water on the y-axis.
b) Can a straight line be drawn through the points?
c) The scientist records a second set of data and draws a ‘line of best fit’ through the points. That
is, a line that roughly crosses through all the points of the data.
This is shown in the graph below:
What is the constant of proportionality of this line of best fit?
d) Based on this constant of proportionality, predict how long it would take to heat the water to
120 C.
∘
Answers
1. Copy and complete the working below for each graph. Part a) has been completed for you.
Note: Any point on the graph can be used to solve for the constant of proportionality k.
a) b)
origin origin.
Therefore, y is proportional to x Therefore, K is proportional to Z
We can say, y = kx We can say, K = kZ
Using a point on the graph (5, 10) to find k: Using a point on the graph (4, −80) to find k:
10 = 5k −80 = 4k
10 ÷ 5 = 5k ÷ 5 −80 ÷ 4 = 4k ÷ 4
k = 2 k = −20
So, y = 2x So, K = −20Z
c) d)
origin origin
Therefore, a is proportional to t Therefore, a is proportional to t

We can say, a = kt We can say, M = kL
Using a point on the graph (6, 60) to find k: Using a point on the graph (4, 3) to find k:
60 = 6k 3 = 4k
60 ÷ 6 = 6k ÷ 6 3 ÷ 4 = 4k ÷ 4
k = 10 3
k =
4
3
So, a = 10t So, M = L
4
2. Write down the variables involved in the following, and state if the variables are proportional to
each other.
Hint: Think about the graph that might be formed if you plotted the relationship.
a) A mobile phone company charges customers 10 cents per minute for a phone call.
Variable: Cost (cents) and time (minutes). This is a proportional relationship - the cost
increases by 10 cents for every one minute increase.
b) The total score for a team in an AFL match is based on 6 points for any goal scored, and one
point for a behind.
Variables: Total score (number of points in total), and number of goals and number of
behinds. This is not a proportional relationship because the total score depends on two
different types of scores added together.
c) The total score for a team in a soccer match equals the number of goals that team scores.
Variables: score and goals. This is a proportional relationship. The score increases by 1
with each goal scored.
d) A car uses up 35 L of petrol for every 100 km travelled.

Variables: Amount of petrol used (litres) and distance (km). This is a proportional
relationship since the petrol used is the same amount for every 100 km of distance
covered.
e) The area of a rectangle with a fixed width of 5 cm has a length that keeps expanding.
Variables: Area and length.
Writing an equation out for this one: Area = 5 cm × L. Since the width is fixed to 5 cm
the change in area is constant with a change in L so this is a proportional relationship.
3. The following graph shows the distance a car travels on the y- axis in km, versus the time taken
in hours to travel that distance on the x-axis.
a) Find the proportionality constant between distance and time for this car.
Constant= 50
b) Copy and complete the blanks in the following sentence which shows that the proportionality
relationship describes the quantity known as ‘speed’
Units of distance= km
Units of time= hr
Ratio of y to x points on the line , including the units 50 km : 1 hr
km
Proportionality constant= 50 = 50 km/hr
hr
c) A second plot shows the distance a car travels for a journey including a stop at shopping
centre. Is the relationship between the distance and the time taken a proportional relationship
in this case?
The distance doesn’t change between 2− and 4 hour mark (this is where the car stops).
A continuous line is not formed between distance and time in this journey so there is
not a proportional relationship.
4. A scientist collects some data to determine whether there is a relationship between the time it
takes for a cup of water (250 mL) to heat up from 0 to 100 C. She heats the water over a
∘ ∘
Bunsen burner.
Time (mins) 0 4 8 12 16 20
Temperature
∘ 0 5 17 36 60 100
( C)
a) Plot the data with the time on the x-axis, and the temperature of the water on the y-axis.
b) Can a straight line be drawn through the points?

Almost but not quite.
c) The scientist records a second set of data and draws a ‘line of best fit’ through the points. That
is , a line that roughly crosses through all the points of the data.
This is shown in the graph below:
What is the constant of proportionality of this line of best fit?

Constant of proportionality = 5. That is the temperature rises by approximately 5
degrees for every minute.
d) Based on this constant of proportionality, predict how long it would take to heat the water to
120 C.
∘
Given that the constant is approximately 5, to get to 120 , it would take

∘
120
= 24 minutes
5

Constants of Proportionality

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Constants of Proportionality

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Constants of Proportionality

proportionality when one variable changes with respect to another variable by a

d) A car uses up 35 L of petrol for every 100 km travelled.

b) Can a straight line be drawn through the points?

What is the constant of proportionality of this line of best fit?

So, y = 2x So, K = −20Z

Therefore, a is proportional to t Therefore, a is proportional to t

d) A car uses up 35 L of petrol for every 100 km travelled.

b) Can a straight line be drawn through the points?

What is the constant of proportionality of this line of best fit?

Given that the constant is approximately 5, to get to 120 , it would take

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