Direct Variation

What is it and how do I know when I see it?

Unit 8 – Vocabulary
 The terms DIRECT VARIATION and
DIRECT PROPORTION will be used
interchangeably. They mean the
same thing.
 The terms CONSTANT OF
PROPORTIONALITY and CONSTANT
OF VARIATION will be used
interchangeably. They mean the
same thing.
What is a Direct Variation or a Direct
Proportion?
 When one value increases, the
other value also increases OR
 When one value decreases, the
other value also decreases
 When one quantity always
changes by the same factor (the
constant of proportionality), the
two quantities are directly
proportional.
 Real World Examples of Direct
Variation Situations…
 The more time I drive (at a constant rate),
the more miles I go.
 If I increase a recipe for more people, the
more of an ingredient I need.
 The more hours I work, the more money I
make.
 The more CD’s I purchase, the more
money it costs.
 The less cheese I buy at the deli, the less
money I pay.
 The less water you drink, the less trips to
the bathroom you have to make.
 Now you come up with a few
examples of your own…
 Raise your hand if you have an
example of when both values
would increase
 Raise your hand if you have an
example of when both values
would decrease
 Choose one of each to write in
your notes
How do we know if we have a direct
variation?
 Wecan look at three different
aspects of the situation:
1. TABLES
2. EQUATIONS
3. GRAPHS
Direct Variation Equations:
• 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
• X is the independent variable
• Y is the dependent variable
• K is the constant of proportionality
 Independent VS. Dependent
 The x-axis is the independent
variable; this means it does NOT
depend on the y value
 The y-axis is the dependent
variable; this means it DOES
depend on the x variable for its
value.
 Direct Variation & Tables of Values
You can make a table of values for “x”
and “y” and see how the values
behave. You could have a direct
variation if…

 As “x” increases in value, “y” also

increases in value
OR
 As “x” decreases in value, “y” also
decreases in value
 Examples of Direct Variation:
Note: As “x” increases,
X Y
6 12 6,7,8
7 14 “y” also increases.
8 16
12, 14, 16
What is the constant of variation of the table above?
Start with the direct variation equation: y = kx
Pick one pair of x and y values and substitute into the equation
12 = k · 6 (this is a one-step equation, so solve for k)
12/6 = k → k=2
Now you can write the equation for this direct variation: y = 2x
 Examples of Direct Variation
Equations (y = kx or y/x = k)…
y = 4x  k = 4
y = x  k = 1
y = 2x  k = 2
y = 2.5x  k = 2.5
y = ⅝x  k = ⅝
y = 0.75  k = 0.75
x
 Examples of Direct Variation:
Note: X decreases,
X Y 30, 15, 9
30 10 And Y decreases.
15 5
10, 5, 3
9 3
What is the constant of variation of the table above?
Start with the direct variation equation: y = kx
Pick one pair of x and y values and substitute into the equation
10 = k · 30 (this is a one-step equation, so solve for k)
10/30 = k → (simplify 10/30) → k = ⅓
Now you can write the equation for this direct variation: y = ⅓ · x
 Is this a direct variation? If yes, give the
constant of variation (k) and the equation.
Yes!
y = kx
X Y •Pick an x & y pair and
4 6 substitute into the direct
8 12 variation equation to solve for k.
12 18 •Remember the constant must
hold true for every (x,y) pair
18 27
6=k·4
k = 6/4 = 3/2 = 1 ½
Therefore the equation for this
table is: y = 1 ½ · x
 Is this a direct variation? If yes, give the
constant of variation (k) and the equation.
Yes!
y = kx
X Y * Pick an x & y pair and
10 25 substitute into the direct
6 15 variation equation & find k.
25 = k · 10
4 10 25/10 = k
2 5 5/2 or 2 ½ = k
* Remember the constant must
hold true for every x,y pair.
Therefore the equation for this
table is:
y=2½·x
 Is this a direct variation? If yes, give the
constant of variation (k) and the equation.
No!

X Y If you look at the values in

the table, you should notice
15 5 as “x” decreases, “y”
3 26 increases, so you know you
1 75 CANNOT have a direct
variation!
2 150
Also, there is no constant of
proportionality. There is not
one number you multiply by
x to get y for each pair in the
table.
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= ½x 12 6
4. xy = 200 20 10

Answer
Now
Using Direct Variation to find unknowns (y = kx)

Given y varies directly with x, and y = 28 when x=7,

Find x when y = 52. HOW???

2 step process
1. Find the constant of variation X Y
y = kx → 28 = k · 7 7 28
(divide both sides by 7) ? 52
k=4
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 solve word problems
Problem: Step One: Find points in table
A car uses 8 gallons of
gasoline to travel 290 X (gas) Y (miles)
miles. How much 8 290
gasoline will the car use ? 400
to travel 400 miles?

Step Two: Find the constant Step Three: Use the equation
of variation and equation: to find the unknown.
400 =36.25x
y = kx → 290 = k · 8 400 =36.25x
290/8 = k 36.25 36.25
or x = 11.03
y = 36.25 x
Using Direct Variation to find unknowns (y = kx)
Given that y varies directly with x, and y = 3 when x=9,
Find y when x = 40.5. HOW???
2 step process
1. Find the constant of variation.
X Y
Y = kx → 3=k·9 9 3
(divide both sides by 9) 40.5 ?
k = 3/9 = 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 solve word problems

Problem:
Step One: Find points in table.
Julio wages vary
directly as the number X(hours) Y(wages)
of hours that he works. 5 29.75
If his wages for 5 hours 30 ?
are $29.75, how much
will they be for 30 hours
Step Three: Use the equation
Step Two: Find the constant of to find the unknown.
variation. y = kx
y = 5.95 ·30
y = kx → 29.75 = k · 5 y = 178.50
k = 5.95
Direct Variation and Its Graph
Characteristics of Direct Proportion
Graph…
 The graph will always go through the
ORIGIN (point 0,0) on the coordinate
plane…this means when x=0, y=0 on the
graph
 The graph will always be in Quadrant I (all
positive numbers) and Quadrant III (all
negative numbers – this is for next year)
 The graph will always be a straight line
 As the “x” value increases, the “y” value
always increases

These things will always occur in DIRECT

VARIATIONS…if it doesn’t then it is NOT a
DIRECT PROPORTION!
Tell if the following graph is a Direct
Variation or not.

No
No

No No
Tell if the following graph is a Direct
Variation or not.

No Yes

Yes No
Direct Variation/Direct
Proportion Reminder…
 When you have word problems, you
can also set up proportions to solve
for the given situation if you prefer.
 If you’re going to set up a
proportion, it’s best to put the y-
value (the dependent value) over the
x-value (the independent value)
because then it’s already set up to
solve for “k” the constant of
proportionality.