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Mathematics 9

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Direct Variation
Using his car, Jason is travelling at a constant speed of 30 km/h. In one hour, it goes 30
kilometers (km). In two hours, it goes 60 km. In 3 hours, it goes 90 km and so on. Looking at the pattern,
this leads us to a set of pairs of numbers (1, 30), (2, 60), (3, 90), (4, 120), (5, 150) …, where the
first number is number of hours traveled while the second number is the distance traveled. We can also
put these numbers in a table as shown below.

Time (hr) 1 2 3 4 5

Distance ( km) 30 60 90 120 150

As you can see, as the time increases, the distance traveled by Jason also increases. How about
the ratio of the distance to time for each ordered pair? What do you observe? Are the ratios equal? Let’s
30 60 90 120
check this. In the first ordered pair, 1 = 30; 2nd pair → 2 = 30; 3rd → 3 = 30; 4th → 4 = 30 ; 5th →
150
= 30. All the ratios are equal to 30. This implies that the ratio of the distance to time traveled is
5
constant.
In the example above, the distance traveled by the car depends directly on the time. Such relation
is called direct variation.

Definition of Direct Variation

Direct variation is a relation which can be described by an equation of the form
y = k x, where k is a nonzero constant called the constant of
variation or constant of proportionality.
The equation y = k x can be translated as
“y varies directly as x” or “y is directly proportional to x”
For two quantities, x and y, an increase in x causes an increase in y, as well. Similarly, a decrease
in x causes a decrease in y.

Now, let us see how we can apply the concept of direct variation not only in transforming
statements into mathematical sentences, but also in solving problems. So, at this point in time, study the
examples below:

1. Translate the statement ‘The distance (d) sound travels varies directly as the time (t) it
travels” into a mathematical sentence.

Solution: Looking at the statement, the two quantities involved are (d), the distance sound
travels and (t), the time it travels. Also, the type of variation used is direct variation because of the
presence of the phrase “varies directly”. Since it is direct, simply use the form of a direct variation
y = k x, where k is a constant of variation. Then, substitute y by d, and x by t. So, the answer will be
d = k t.
2. Transform the statement “m is directly proportional to n” into a mathematical sentence .

Solution: This is a direct variation statement and as such, use the form y = k x. The two variables
involved are m and n. So, our mathematical sentence is m = k n. ( k should always be present as it is
the constant of variation).

3. If y varies directly as x and that y = 20 when x = 4 . Find the constant of variation.

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 Solution: The problem asks for the value of k, so the first thing to do is to express the statement
“y varies directly as x”, as y = kx . Then, substitute the given values in the equation, and solve for k.
Now, look at this solution.
y = k x,
substitute the values of y = 20 and x = 4, we have
20 = k (4)
then solving k,
20 4
=k( ) ← dividing both sides by 4
4 4
5=k
So, the constant of variation is 5.
4. Find the equation of variation when y varies directly as x and y = 30 when x = 5.

Solution: This is a direct variation problem as it contains the phrase “varies directly”. So, use
the form y = k x. What is asked in the problem is the equation of variation. To answer this, simply solve
the value of k, and substitute its value to the equation y = k x. Study the solution below.
a. y=kx
30 = k (5) ← substitute the values of y = 30 and x = 5.
30 5
= k( ) ← divide both sides by 5
5 5
k=6
b. Getting the equation, use y = k x, and substitute the value of k.
y=kx
y=6x
Therefore, the equation of variation is y = 6x.
5. If y is directly proportional to x and y = 40 when x = 2, find y when x = 5.

Solution: There are two ways to solve for y.

First Method: This is a direct variation problem as it contains the phrase “directly
proportional”. What is asked in the problem is the value of y. To get the value of y, you need to follow
these steps. First, determine the form of the equation. Second, solve the value of k using the phrase “if
y is directly proportional to x and y = 40 when x = 2”. Third, get the required equation of variation,
and the last, substitute the value of x in the required equation and simplify.
a. The form of the equation is y = kx
b. Solve the value of k.
y=kx ← use this form of a direct variation
40 = k (2) ← substitute the values of y = 40 and x = 2.
40 2
= k( ) ← divide both sides by 2
2 2
k = 20
The value of k is 20.
c. Getting the equation, use y = k x, and substitute the value of k.
y=kx
y = 20 x ← the value of k is 20
Therefore, the equation of variation is y = 20 x.
d. Solving for y, use the equation y = 20 x
y = 20 x
y = 20 (5) ← substitute x = 5 (find y when x = 5)
y = 100
Therefore, the value of y is 100.
y1 y 2
Second Method: You can use a proportion: = , where (x1, y1) is the first
x1 x 2
pair of numbers, and (x2, y2) is the second pair of numbers. Look at this solution.
y1 y 2
=
x1 x 2
Substitute the values of y1, x1, y2, and x2
2
 40 y
= , ←
y1 =40, x1 = 2 from the first pair
2 5 𝑦 = 40 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 2
y y2 = y, x2 = 5 from the 2nd pair:
20 = find y when x = 5
5
Multiplying both sides by 5,
y
20(5) = (5)
5
y = 100
So, the value of y = 100.

6. The pressure (P) at the bottom of a swimming pool varies directly as the depth (d) of the
water. If the pressure is 120 Pascal when the water is 3 meters deep, find the pressure when
it is 4.5 meters deep.

Solution: The phrase: varies directly, tells you to use a direct variation equation.
a. The equation will be P = kd, where P is the pressure, and d,
the depth of water
b. Solving k, P = kd
120 = k (3) substitute the values of P = 120, d = 3 from
the pressure is 120 Pascal when the water is 3 meters deep

120 (3)
=k divide both sides by 3
3 3
40 = k
c. The variation equation is P = k d, replacing k by 40, you will have,
P = 40 d
d. To find P when d = 4.5 meters,
P = 40 d
P = 40 (4.5) when d = 4.5
P = 180
Therefore, the pressure is 180 Pascal.
ALTERNATE SOLUTION:
y1 y 2
You can use a proportion: = , and for this problem, you have:
x1 x 2
p1 p 2
=
d1 d 2
120 p 2 p1 = 120, d1 = 3 from the first pair
= .
3 4.5 p2 = p2, d2 = 4. 5 from the 2nd pair:
Solving P2,
P2
40 = ,
4.5

P2
40(4.5) = (4.5) Multiplying both sides by 4.5
4.5
180 = P2
So, the pressure is 180 Pascal when the depth of water is 4.5 meters.

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 Let’s Test Ourselves: (Use a separate paper for your answer and do not forget to write your name)

A. Write only the letter that corresponds to your answer.

1. Which of the following equations represents the statement: the weight (E) of an object on Earth is
directly proportional to the weight (M) of the same object on the moon?
𝐾
a. E = M b. E = k M c. M = kE d. E =
𝑀
2. y varies directly as x and y = 90 when x = 5. Find the constant of variation.
a. 8 b. 18 c. 25 d. 450
3. If y varies directly as x and y = 22 when x = 2, find y when x = 17.
a. 11 b. 44 c. 49 d. 187
4. The cost (C) of an airplane ticket is directly proportional to the number (M) of miles of the trip. A
300-mile trip costs P2,200. What is the cost of a 450-mile trip?
a. P4,600 b. P4,100 c. P3,600 d. P3,300
5. The shadow (S) of an object varies directly as its height (H). A man 1.8 m tall casts a shadow 3.6
m long. If at the same a flagpole casts a shadow 12. 2 m long, how high is the flagpole?

a. 18.8 meters b. 23.4 meters c. 24.4 meters d. 28.6 meters

6. The velocity V of a falling object is directly proportional to the time (t) of the fall. If, after 2
seconds, the velocity of a falling object is 64 feet per second, what will be its velocity after 3
seconds?
a. 112 ft/s b. 96 ft/s c. 84 ft/sd. d. 64 ft/s
B. For item numbers 7 to 11, write an equation that represents the relationship between the
given variables. Use k as the constant of variation.

7. x varies directly as y.
8. y is directly proportional to x.
9. The cost C of fish varies directly as its weight W in kilograms.
10. The perimeter(P) of a square is directly proportional to the length (l) of its sides.
11. The volume (V) of a sphere varies directly as the cube of the radius (r).

C. Solve each problem.

12. y is directly proportional to x. If y = 10, then x = 2. Find the constant of variation.

13. M varies directly as N. If M = 20, then N = 5. Determine the constant of variation.
14. Find the equation of variation when y varies directly as x and y = 15 when x = 3.
15. y varies directly as x. If y = 12 when x = 4, find y when x = 12.
16. B is directly proportional to A. If B = 45 when A = 5, find B when A = 30.
17. The length S that a spring will stretch varies directly with the weight F that is attached to the
spring. If a spring stretches 20 inches with 25 kg attached, how far will it stretch with 15 kg attached?
18. Mark uses 20 liters of gasoline to travel 200 kilometers. How many liters of gasoline will he use on
a trip of 700 kilometers?

Prepared by:

GARY M. NUGAS
Grade 9 Math Coordinator
Noted by:

ROGAN G. ADANZA
Department Head