Direct Variation

If the quotient / ratio of two variables is constant , such a relation is

called a direct variation. We say that “ y varies directly as x”.
𝑦
If y α 𝑥 , then 𝑥 =k or y =( k)(x) where k is a nonzero constant
𝑦 𝑘𝑥 𝑦
. y = kx 𝑥
= 𝑥 𝑥
=𝑘
The constant k is called the variation constant.

Example:
1. Let b vary directly as a. When a = 20 , b = 80.
a. Express b in terms of a .
Solution:
b=ka
80 =20k
80 20𝑘
20
= 20
4=k
b =4a ans.
b. Find the value of b when a =100.
b = 4a
b = 4(100) b = 400 ans.
2. It is given that yα 𝑥 . When x = 6 , y = 28 . Find the
value of y when x = 9.
Solution:
 a. y = kx
28 = k (6)
28 6𝑘
6
= 6
14
3
=𝑘
14 14
y =( 3
)𝑥 𝑦 = 3
(9)
y = 42

𝑥 𝑥
b. 𝑦
1
= 𝑦
2

1 2
6 9
28
= 𝑦
6y =(28)(9)
(28)(9)
y= 6
=42 ans.
3. It is given that y varies directly as x. When x = 4 , y = 12.
Draw the graph of y against x.
Solution:
y =kx 12=4k k=3
y = 3x

x -2 -1 0 1 2
y -6 -3 0 3 6

when x = -2 y = 3x y =3( -2)= -6

x= -1 y =3(-1)= -3
x =0 y = 3(0) = 0
x =1 y = 3(1) =3
x=2 y = 3(2) = 6
 3
4. If V α 𝑟 and V = 125 when r = 25 , find :
a. V when r = 5
b. r when V = 200
Solution:
3
a.V = k r
3
125= k (25) 125 = (25)(25)(25)k
125 (25)(25)(25)𝑘
(25)(25)(25)
= (25)(25)(25)

5 1
(25)(25)
=k 125
=𝑘

1 3 1 3
V= 125
𝑟 V= 125
(5)
125
V= 125
= 1
 1 3
b. V= 125
𝑟
1 3
200 = 125
𝑟
1 3
(125) (200) =( 125 𝑟 )(125)
3
(125)(200)=r
3 3 3
(25)(5)(25)(8)= 𝑟
3 5 3 3 2
5 2 = 5(2) 5
3
= 10 25 ans.

Exercises:
Determine the value of k , the constant of variation .Then
complete the table of values.
2
1. y α 𝑥

x 2 4 6
y 8 32 128

2. yαx

x 1 2 3 4 5
y 2 4

Indirect Variation