Does the equation $y = 3 x$ $y = 3x$ represent a direct variation and if so, identify the constant of variation?

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Answer 1 · 2017-02-07T15:52:46

The constant is $3$ $3$ or $\frac{1}{3}$ $1/3$ depending on whether

you are comparing y with x , or x with y.

In a direct variation, as one quantity increases, the other increases at the same rate,so that the relationship between them is always constant.

$y = 3 x$ $y = 3x$ , means that $y$ $y$ is always $3$ $3$ times bigger than $x$ $x$ .

$x = \frac{1}{3} y$ $x = 1/3y$ means that $x$ $x$ is always one third of $y$ $y$

To find the constant of variation divide:

$k = \frac{y}{x}$ $k = y/x$ In this case $k = 3$ $k = 3$

Or

$k = \frac{x}{y}$ $k=x/y$ in this case $k = \frac{1}{3}$ $k = 1/3$

Does the equation y=3xy = 3x represent a direct variation and if so, identify the constant of variation?