Direct Variation

Section 5-2

Goals
Goal
To write and graph an
equation of a direct
variation.

Rubric
Level 1 Know the goals.
Level 2 Fully understand the
goals.
Level 3 Use the goals to
solve simple problems.
Level 4 Use the goals to
solve more advanced
problems.
Level 5 Adapts and applies
the goals to different and more
complex problems.

Vocabulary
Direct Variation
Constant of variation for a direct variation

Direct Variation
A recipe for paella calls for 1 cup of rice to make 5 servings. In
other words, a chef needs 1 cup of rice for every 5 servings.

The equation y = 5x describes this relationship. In this

relationship, the number of servings varies directly with the
number of cups of rice.

Definition
Direct Variation a special type of linear
relationship that can represented by a function in
the form y = kx, where k 0.
Constant of Variation is k, the coefficient of x, in
the function y = kx.
By dividing each side of y = kx by x, you can see that
the ratio of the variables is constant: y/x = k.

Direct Variation

Direct Variation

Determining Direct Variation

To determine whether an equation represents a direct
variation;
1)

Given an equation.

2)

Given a table of values.

3)

Solve for y.
If you can write the equation in the form y = kx, where k 0, then
it is a direct variation.
Find y/x for each ordered pair.
If the ratio y/x is constant for all ordered pairs, then it is a direct
variation.

Given a graph.

The graph is a line and passes through the origin, then it is a direct
variation.
The slope of the line is k.

Example: Determine Direct

Variation from an Equation
Tell whether the equation represents a direct variation. If so, identify
the constant of variation.
y = 3x
This equation represents a direct variation because it is in the
form of y = kx. The constant of variation is 3.

Example: Determine Direct

Variation from an Equation
Tell whether the equation represents a direct variation. If so, identify
the constant of variation.
3x + y = 8
3x
3x
y = 3x + 8

Solve the equation for y.

Since 3x is added to y, subtract 3x from
both sides.

This equation is not a direct variation because it cannot be

written in the form y = kx.

Example: Determine Direct

Variation from an Equation
Tell whether the equation represents a direct variation. If so, identify
the constant of variation.
4x + 3y = 0
+4x
+4x
3y = 4x

Solve the equation for y.

Since 4x is added to 3y, add 4x to both
sides.
Since y is multiplied by 3, divide both
sides by 3.

This equation represents a direct variation because it is in the

form of y = kx. The constant of variation is .

Your Turn:
Tell whether the equation represents a direct variation. If so, identify
the constant of variation.
3y = 4x + 1

This equation is not a direct variation because it is not written in

the form y = kx.

Your Turn:
Tell whether the equation represents a direct variation. If so, identify
the constant of variation.
Solve the equation for y.
3x = 4y
4y = 3x
Since y is multiplied by 4, divide
both sides by 4.

This equation represents a direct variation because it is in the

form of y = kx. The constant of variation is
.

Your Turn:
Tell whether the equation represents a direct variation. If so, identify
the constant of variation.
y + 3x = 0
3x 3x
y = 3x

Solve the equation for y.

Since 3x is added to y, subtract 3x from
both sides.

This equation represents a direct variation because it is in the

form of y = kx. The constant of variation is 3.

Determine Direct Variation

from a Table
What happens if you solve y = kx for k?
y = kx

Divide both sides by x (x 0).

So, in a direct variation, the ratio is equal to the constant of

variation.
Another way to identify a direct variation is to check whether
is the same for each ordered pair (except where x = 0).

Example: Determine Direct

Variation from a Table
Tell whether the relationship is a direct
variation. Explain.
Find

for each ordered pair.

This is a direct variation because

pair.

is the same for each ordered

Example: Determine Direct

Variation from a Table
Tell whether the relationship is a direct
variation. Explain.
Find

for each ordered pair.

This is not direct variation because

ordered pairs.

is the not the same for all

Your Turn:
Tell whether the relationship is a direct
variation. Explain.
Find

for each ordered pair.

This is not direct variation because

ordered pairs.

is the not the same for all

Your Turn:
Tell whether the relationship is a direct
variation. Explain.

Find

for each ordered pair.

10
4
2.5

20
4
5

30
4
7.5

This is a direct variation because

pair.

is the same for each ordered

Your Turn:
Tell whether the relationship is a direct
variation. Explain.
Find

for each ordered pair.

This is not direct variation because

ordered pairs.

is the not the same for all

Example: Writing a Direct

Variation Equation
The value of y varies directly with x, and y = 3, when x = 9. Find
y when x = 21.
Find the value of k and then write the equation.
y = kx

Write the equation for a direct variation.

3 = k(9)

Substitute 3 for y and 9 for x. Solve for k.

Since k is multiplied by 9, divide both sides by 9.

The equation is y = x. When x = 21, y = (21) = 7.

Your Turn:
The value of y varies directly with x, and y = 4.5 when x = 0.5. Find
y when x = 10.
Find the value of k and then write the equation.
y = kx
4.5 = k(0.5)
9=k

Write the equation for a direct variation.

Substitute 4.5 for y and 0.5 for x. Solve for k.
Since k is multiplied by 0.5, divide both sides by
0.5.

The equation is y = 9x. When x = 10, y = 9(10) = 90.

Example: Graphing Direct

Variation
A group of people are tubing down a river at an average speed of 2
mi/h. Write a direct variation equation that gives the number of
miles y that the people will float in x hours. Then graph.
Step 1 Write a direct variation equation.
distance
y

=
=

2 mi/h
2

times

hours

Example: Continued
Step 2 Choose values of x and generate ordered pairs.

y = 2x

(x, y)

y = 2(0) = 0

(0, 0)

y = 2(1) = 2

(1, 2)

y = 2(2) = 4

(2, 4)

Step 3 Graph the points and connect.

Your Turn:
The perimeter y of a square varies directly with its side
length x. Write a direct variation equation for this
relationship. Then graph.
Step 1 Write a direct variation equation.
perimeter

4 sides
4

times

length
x

Your Turn: Continued

Step 2 Choose values of x and generate ordered pairs.

y = 4x

(x, y)

y = 4(0) = 0

(0, 0)

y = 4(1) = 4

(1, 4)

y = 4(2) = 8

(2, 8)

Your Turn: Continued

Step 3 Graph the points and connect.

Joke Time
How would you describe a frog with a broken leg?
Unhoppy
What did the horse say when he got to the bottom
of his feed bag?
Thats the last straw!
What kind of music do chiropractors listen to?
Hip - Pop

Assignment
5-2 Exercises Pg. 325 - 327: #8 52 even