Direct Variation

Section 5-2
 Goals
Goal Rubric
• To write and graph an Level 1 – Know the goals.
equation of a direct Level 2 – Fully understand the
variation. 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.
 Solve for y.
 If you can write the equation in the form y = kx, where k ≠ 0, then it
is a direct variation.
2) Given a table of values.
 Find y/x for each ordered pair.
 If the ratio y/x is constant for all ordered pairs, then it is a direct
variation.
3) 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 Solve the equation for y.

–3x –3x Since 3x is added to y, subtract 3x from
both sides.
y = –3x + 8

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 Solve the equation for y.
+4x +4x Since –4x is added to 3y, add 4x to both
3y = 4x 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.
3x = –4y Solve the equation for y.

–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 Solve the equation for y.
– 3x –3x Since 3x is added to y, subtract 3x from
y = –3x 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 is the same for each ordered

pair.
 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 is the not the same for all
ordered pairs.
 Your Turn:
Tell whether the relationship is a direct
variation. Explain.

Find for each ordered pair.

This is not direct variation because is the not the same for all
ordered pairs.
 Your Turn:
Tell whether the relationship is a direct
variation. Explain.

Find for each ordered pair.

10 20 30

 4  4  4
2.5 5 7.5

This is a direct variation because is the same for each ordered

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

Find for each ordered pair.

This is not direct variation because is the not the same for all
ordered pairs.
 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 Write the equation for a direct variation.

4.5 = k(0.5) Substitute 4.5 for y and 0.5 for x. Solve for k.

9=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 = 2 mi/h times hours

y = 2  x
 Example: Continued

Step 2 Choose values of x and generate ordered pairs.

x y = 2x (x, y)
0 y = 2(0) = 0 (0, 0)
1 y = 2(1) = 2 (1, 2)
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 times length

y = 4 • x
 Your Turn: Continued

Step 2 Choose values of x and generate ordered pairs.

x y = 4x (x, y)
0 y = 4(0) = 0 (0, 0)
1 y = 4(1) = 4 (1, 4)
2 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?
• That’s the last straw!

• What kind of music do chiropractors listen to?

• Hip - Pop
 Assignment
• 5-2 Exercises Pg. 325 - 327: #8 – 52 even