Chapter 3

Lesson 1: DIRECT VARIATION

DIRECT VARIATION– A direct variation between x
and y occurs when the value of y varies directly as the
value of x.
The constant (k), which can be any nonzero real number,
is called the constant of variation.

In a direct variation, y = kx, where k is a nonzero

constant.
EXAMPLES:
1. Given that y varies directly with x, and the constant of variation is 3, find the
following:
a. Equation that relates y and x
If y varies directly with x, then y = kx, where k is the constant of
variation.
Because k = 3, you have y = 3x.
b. Values of y when x = 15
To find the value of y when x = 15, evaluate y = 3x when x = 15.
y=3x
y=3(15)
y=45
Thus, y = 45 if x = 15 and k = 3.
EXAMPLES:
2. If y varies directly as x2 and y = 8 when x = 2, find y when x = 1.
y=kx2
8=k(2)2 Substitute the value of x.
8=4k
8/4=4k/4
2=k Solve for k.
Therefore, k = 2.
y=kx2
y=2x2 This is the equation of variation.
y=2(1) 2 Substitute 1 for x.
y=2(1) Solve for y.
y=2

Thus, y = 2 when x = 1.
EXAMPLES:
3. If y varies directly as the square of x, and y = 432 when x = 12, find y
when x = 20.
y=kx2
432=k(12) 2 Substitute the values
432=144k
432/144=k Solve for k.
3=k This is the constant of variation.
y=3x2 This is the equation of variation.
y=3(20) 2 Substitute 20 for x.
y=3(400) Solve for y.
y=1200

Thus, y = 1200 when x = 20.

EXAMPLES:
4. Given that y varies directly as the cube of x and that y = 21 when x = 3,
calculate the value of y when x = 8.
y=kx3 Substitute the values
21=k(3)3
21/27=27k/27 Solve for k.
7/9=k Therefore, the k or the constant of variation is 7/9.
y=7/9 x3 This is the equation of variation.
y=7/9 (8)3 Substitute 8 for x.
y=7/9 (512) Solve for y
y=3584/9
y=398 2/9 Or y=398.2222

Thus, the value of x is 398.2222 if x = 8.

EXAMPLES:
5. The cost of a taxi fare (c) varies directly as the distance (d) travelled.
When the distance is 60 km, the cost is ₱35. Find the cost when the distance is 95
km.
c = dk, where k is a constant.
35 = 60k Substitute the values
35=60k
35/35=60k/35
k=7/12 Solve for k.
Therefore, k=7/12
c=(7/12)d This is the equation of variation.
c=(7/12)(95) Substitute 95 for d.
c=665/12 or 55.42 Solve for c.

Thus, the cost of a taxi fare for 95 km is ₱ 55.42.

 EXAMPLES:
6. The weight of an object on the moon varies directly as its weight on earth. An astronaut
who weighs 80 kg on earth weighs 12.8 kg on the moon. How much would a 60-kg person
weigh on the moon?
Let x = weight on the earth
y = weight on the moon
y =kx
12.8 = 80 k Substitute the values
12.8 / 80= k
0.16 = k Solve for k.
Therefore, k= 0.16 the equation of the problem is y = 0.16x.
y = 0.16 (60) Substitute 60 for x.
y = 9.6 Solve for y.

So, a 60-kg person on earth will weigh 9.6 kg on the moon.

MIND EXERCISES
DIRECTIONS: Solve the following. Find the equation of variation in which y
varies directly as x, and solve the following conditions exist.
Y varies directly as x.

1. When x = 2, y = 14. Find y when x = 10.

2. When x = 20, y = 15. Find y when x = 68.
3. When x = 3/4, y = 1/8. Find y when x = 4.
4. When x = 2, y = 8. Find y when x = 3.
5. When x = 2/3, y = 1. Find y when x = 1/6.
DIRECTIONS: Solve the following. Find the equation of variation in which y
varies directly as x, and solve the following conditions exist.
Y varies directly as x.
1. When x = 2, y = 14. Find y when x = 10.
y=kx
14=k(2) Substitute the value of x.
14=2k
7=k Solve for k.
Therefore, k = 7.
y=7x This is the equation of variation.
y=7(10) Substitute 10 for x.
y=70 Solve for y.

Thus, y = 70 when x = 10.

DIRECTIONS: Solve the following. Find the equation of variation in which y
varies directly as x, and solve the following conditions exist.
Y varies directly as x.
2. When x = 20, y = 15. Find y when x = 68
y=kx
15=k(20) Substitute the value of x.
15=20k
15/20=20/20k
3/4=k Solve for k.
Therefore, k = 3/4.
y=3/4x This is the equation of variation.
y=3/4(68) Substitute 68 for x.
y=51 Solve for y.

Thus, y = 51 when x = 68.

DIRECTIONS: Solve the following. Find the equation of variation in which y
varies directly as x, and solve the following conditions exist.
Y varies directly as x.
3. When x = 3/4, y = 1/8. Find y when x = 4.
y=kx
1/8=k(3/4) Substitute the value of x.
1/8=3/4k
(1/8)/(3/4)=(3/4)/(3/4)k
1/6=k Solve for k.
Therefore, k = 1/6.
y=1/6x This is the equation of variation.
y=1/6(4) Substitute 4 for x.
y=2/3 Solve for y.

Thus, y = 2/3 when x = 4.

DIRECTIONS: Solve the following. Find the equation of variation in which y
varies directly as x, and solve the following conditions exist.
Y varies directly as x.
4. When x = 2, y = 8. Find y when x = 3.
y=kx
8=k(2) Substitute the value of x.
8=2k
8 / 2= 2 /2k
4=k Solve for k.
Therefore, k = 4.
y=4x This is the equation of variation.
y=4(3) Substitute 3 for x.
y=12 Solve for y.

Thus, y = 12 when x = 3.
DIRECTIONS: Solve the following. Find the equation of variation in which y
varies directly as x, and solve the following conditions exist.
Y varies directly as x.
5. When x=2/3, y = 1. Find y when x = 1/6.
y=kx
1=k(2/3) Substitute the value of x.
1=2/3k
1 / (2/3)= (2/3) / (2/3) k
3/2=k Solve for k.
Therefore, k = 3/2.
y=3/2x This is the equation of variation.
y=3/2(1/6) Substitute 1/6 for x.
y=1/4 Solve for y.

Thus, y = 1/4 when x = 1/6.

 Challenge:
The distance that a car can travel varies directly with the number of liters of a gasoline in a
tank. If a car can go 120km on 15 liters of gas, how far can it go on 9 liters?
Let x = number of liters of a gasoline
y = distance that a car can travel
y =kx
120 = 15 k Substitute the values
120 / 15= k
8=k Solve for k.
Therefore, k= 8 the equation of the problem is y = 8x.
y = 8 (9) Substitute 9 for x.
y = 72 Solve for y.

So, the car can travel 72km with 9 liters of gasoline.

The End
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