Module 1

Variations

What this module is about

Quantities are related to each other in some ways. Some quantities are
constants and others are variables. This module will describe these related
quantities. Two quantities are related if a change in the value of one corresponds
to a predictable change in the value of the other. The direct and direct square
variations are the focus of this module.

What are you expected to learn

1. Determine the relation between two quantities.

2. Identify quantities that are related directly to each other.
3. Find the equation of the variation and its constant of variation.
4. Use proportion to solve direct variation.

How much do you know

A. Which of the following situations show direct variation. Write Y if it is and N if

not.

1. The diameter of a circle is related to its circumference.

2. Water pressure on a submarine depends on the depth.
3. The number of people sharing a pizza is related to the size of the slices
of the pizza.
4. The area of the wall is related to the amount of paint used to cover it.
5. The area of the face of a cube is related to its volume.
6. The time a teacher spends checking papers is related to the number of
students.
 7. The cost of life insurance depends on the age of the insured person.
8. The age of a used car is related to its resale value.
9. The amount of money raised for a fundraiser is related to the number of
tickets sold.
10. The distance an airplane fly depends on its time of travel.

B. Express the following ratios in lowest terms.

1. 10 :15 5. 2 : 8
2. 0.3: 6 6. 1000 to 10000
18 7. 250 : 500
3.
12 8. 120 :140
2x 9. 0.04 : 0.08
4.
3x
10. 0.005 : 0.010

What will you do

Lesson 1

Direct Variation

A bicycle is traveling 10 kilometers per hour (kph). In one hour it goes 10

kilometers (km). In two hours, it goes 20 km. In 3 hours, it goes 30 km and so on.
Using the number of hours as the first number and the number of kilometers
traveled as the second number: (1,10), (2,20), (3,30), (4,40) and so on. Note that
as the first number gets larger, so does the second. Note also, that the ratio of

10
distance to time for each of these ordered pairs is a constant, or 10.
1

There is direct variation whenever a situation produces pairs of numbers

in which their ratio is constant. Hence, the distance traveled by the bicycle varies
directly as the time of travel.

2
 d
 10 (10 is a constant) or d  10t
t

The statements:
“y varies directly as x.”
“y is directly proportional to x.” and
“y is proportional to x.”

Imply direct variation and are used in many situations. Likewise the
statements translate mathematically as y  kx . Where k is often referred to as
the constant of proportionality.

When there is direct variation the variation constant can be found if one
pair of values of x and y is known. After that other pairs of values can also be
found.
Examples:

1. If y varies directly as x and that y  32 when x  4 . Find the variation

constant and the equation of variation.

Solution:
Express the statement “y varies directly as x”, as y  kx .
Substituting the given values in the equation, you have:

32  k (4)
32
k
4
k 8
The variation constant is 8 and the equation of variation is given by:

y  8x

2. Find the equation of variation when y varies directly as x and y  7 when

x  25 .
Solution:
y  kx

3
 7  k (25) Substitute the given.
7
k or
25

k  0.28

Therefore the equation of the variation is

7
y x or y  0.28 x
25

3. The circumference of a circle varies directly with its diameter. If the

circumference of 7-diameter circle is 7 , what is the circumference of
the circle whose diameter is 10cm? 15 cm? 18cm? 20cm?

Solution1:

The statement “ The circumference of a circle varies directly with its

diameter.” can be expressed as c  kd . Substituting the given values of c
and d in the equation:
7  k (7)
7
k
7
k 

Therefore, c  kd can be expressed as c   d by substituting  in

place of k. To solve for c:

when d  10 cm,
c   (10)
c  10 cm
when d  15 cm,
c   (15)
c  15 cm

when d  18 cm,
c   (18)

4
 c  18 cm

when d  20 cm,
c   (20)
c  20 cm

Solution 2:
c
Since their ratio is always constant,  k , you can derive the
d
following proportions:

c1 c2 c1 c3 c1 c4 c1 c5
 ;  ;  ; 
d1 d 2 d1 d3 d1 d 4 d1 d5
In tabular form, the given values can be expressed as:

d 7 10 15 18 20
c 7 c2 c3 c4 c5

Let d1  7 , c1  7 , d 2  10 , d3  15 , d 4  18 , and d5  20 .

c1 c2
You need to solve for  . Substituting the given values in the
d1 d 2
proportion, you have

7 c2

7 10
c2
 the 7’s cancel out
10
 c2  multiply each term by the LCD
  10  10
to eliminate the denominators

c2  10 cm

c1 c3
For c3 , use the proportion  . Substitute the given values in the
d1 d3
proportion:
7 c3

7 15

5
 c3
 the 7’s cancel out
15
 c3  multiply each term by the LCD
  15  15
  to eliminate the denominators

c3  15 cm

c1 c4
For c4 , use the proportion  . Substitute the given values in the
d1 d 4
proportion:
7 c4

7 18
c4
 the 7’s cancel out
18
 c4  multiply each term by the LCD
  18  18
to eliminate the denominators

c4  18 cm

Therefore, if the circumference of a circle varies directly as its diameter,

then when the diameter of the circle is 7 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 18 cm and 20 cm,
the corresponding circumference is 7 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 18 cm and 20
cm.

4. y varies directly as x , and x  12 when y  5 . What is the value of y

when x  20 ?

Solution 1:

“ y varies directly as x ” is expressed as y  kx . There are two

variables; x and y. Knowing one set of values for x and y, you can find k .
Using this value for k and the other value given for x , you can find the
corresponding value for y .

Substituting the first set of values in y  kx , you have:

5  k (12)
5
k
12

6
 5
The equation of the variation is y  x
12

Solving for y when x  20 :

5
y (20)
12
5
y (20)5
3(12)
25
y or
3
1
y 8
3
Solution 2:

y1 y2
From example 3, you can use a similar proportion: 
x1 x2
Substituting the values, you get

5 y2

12 20
5 y2  multiply each term by the LCD to
 12  20  60 eliminate the denominators

(60)5 (60) y2

12 20
5(60)5 3(60) y2

12 20
25  3y2

25
y2  or
3
1
y 8
3

5. Find the constant of variation and the equation of variation. If y varies

directly as x , and y  15 when x  3 .

7
Solution:

The problem states that y  kx . Substitute the values to solve for k

, you have
15  k (3)
15
k
3
k 5
Hence, the equation of the variation: y  5 x

6. x varies directly as y . If x  35 when y  7 , what is the value of y

when x  25 ?

Solution 1.

The problem states that x  ky , substitute the first values of y and x

respectively to get k , you have:

35  k (7)
35
k
7
k 5

Hence the equation of the variation: x  5 y

Solving for y when x  25 ,

25  5y
25
y
5
y 5
Solution 2:
y1 y2
From example 4, you can use a similar proportion: 
x1 x2
Where x1  35 , y1  7 and x2  25

8
 Substituting the values, you get

7 y
 2
35 25
7 y
 2
35 25
1 y2 7 1
 reduced to lowest term is
5 25 35 5
25
y2 
5
y2  5

Try this out

A. An ordered pair in a direct variation is given; such that the first varies directly
as the second term in the number pair below. State the constant of
proportionality.

1. (4,28)
6. (12, - 15)
2. (5,9)
7. (1/3, 1)
3. (1, 1/3)
8. (3d, d)
4. (c, 2c)
9. (6, 27)
5. (15,3)
10. (36, 24)
B. Find an equation where y varies directly as x.

1. y = 28 when x = 7 6. y = 630 when x = 175

2. y = 30 when x = 8 7. y = 200 when x = 300
3. y = 0.7 when x = 0.4
8. y = 1 and x = 2
4. y = 0.8 when x = 0.5
9. y = 48 and x = 6
5. y = 400 when x = 125
10. y = 10 and x = 24

9
C. Solve for each of the following. Use any method. y varies directly as x. find the
values as indicated.

1. If y = 12 when x = 4, find y when x = 12

2. If y = -81 when x = 9, find y when x = 7

3. If y  3 when x  4 , find x when y  2

4. If y = 3 when x = 10, find x when y = 1.2

5. If y = 2.5 when x = 7.25, find y when x = 4.75

Lesson 2

Direct Square Variation

The number of ways in which one variable depend upon another is

unlimited. One of which is when one quantity varies directly as the square of
another. That is y varies directly as the square of x.

The following examples are presented for you to gain skill in solving such
type of variation.

Examples:

1. y varies directly as the square of x , and y  10 , when x  4 , find the

constant and equation of the variation.

Solution:

To express the statement “ y varies directly as square of x ”, write:

y  kx 2 ,

Substitute the given values in the equation, you have:

10  k (4) 2
10  16k
10
k
16

10
 5
k
8

8
The variation constant is and the equation of variation is given by
5
8 2
y x
5

2. y varies directly as the square of x . Find the constant and equation of

variation if y  12 when x  5 .

Solution:

Substitute the given values in the equation, you have:

12  k (5) 2
12  25k
12
k
25
12 2
Hence, the equation of the variation y  x
25

3. y varies directly as the square of x . If y  3 when x  2 , find y when

x7.

Solution:
The equation suggests y  kx 2 . Substitute the first set of values in

y  kx 2
3  k (2) 2
3  4k
3
k
4

3 2
The equation of the variation is y x
4

Solving for y when x  7 :

11
 3 2
y (7)
4
3
y  (49)
4
147
y or
4
3
y  36
4

To check, both equations of variation should have the same value of k .

147
y  3, x  2 y , x7
4
y y
k k
x2 x2
147
3
k
(2) 2 k  42
(7)
147
3
k
4 k 4
49
147 1
k g
4 49
3
k
4

4. y varies directly as the square of x . If y  9 when x  6 , find x when

y 4.

Solution:

“ y varies directly as the square of x ” translates to: y  kx 2 .

From the given values:

9  k (6) 2
9  36k
9
k
36
1
k
4

12
 1 2
The equation of the variation: y x
4

Looking for x in the second set of values:

1 2
4 x
4
 1 2 Apply the multiplication property of
 4  4 x  4 equality

16  x 2
x   16
x  4 Take only the principal (positive) root.

5. y varies directly as the square of x . If y  1 when x  8 , find x when

y 4.

Solution:

From the given values:

1  k (8) 2

1  64k

1
k
64

1 2
The equation of the variation: y x
64

Solving for x in the second set, substitute the values:

1 2
y x
64
1 2
4 x
64
x 2  4g64
x 2  256
x  256

13
 x  16

To check if both set of values have the same constant of variation k ,

substitute the values in x and y in the equation, y  kx 2 .

1st set 2nd set

1  k (8) 2 4  k (16) 2
1  64k 4  256k
1 4
k k
64 256
1
k
64

In general, direct square variation can be extended to any n th power of a

variable provided that n  0 . The statement, “ y varies directly as the nth
power of x ,” translates as y  kx n .

Try this out

A. Write an equation to describe these situations.

1. y varies directly as x .
2. A varies directly as the square of p .
3. V varies directly as the cube of x .
4. T varies directly as the square root of a .
5. N varies directly as s .
6. R varies directly as the fourth root of M
7. The surface area A of a sphere varies directly as the square of the radius r
.

B.

What kind of
boats do 14

vampires
 like?

Answer the questions below then transfer the letter associated to each question
to the box, which contains the correct answer to decode the key.

Y varies directly as the Find the variation constant Y varies directly as x.

square of x. Find k when if y = 48 and x = 6 if y Find y if x = 3, when
x = 3 and y = 12. varies directly as the y = 5 if x = 2.
square of x.
S E B
Find an equation of Find y1 in the proportion: Write an equation for the
variation if y varies phrase: The electric current
directly as x and y = 15 y1 12 I in an electric circuit
 varies directly as the
when x = 4. 4 5
Voltage V .
S L
L
The perimeter of a If the constant of a direct Write the equation of
square varies directly as variation is , find x when y variation: The distance (d) in
km covered by a train varies
its side. Find the = 10. directly as its speed (s) in
constant of variation. O kph.
S D
If the constant of If y varies directly as x Determine the constant of
variation 5, find y when and y = 10 when x = 5, variation in the table:
x = 7. find y when x = 15. x 2 4 6 8
y 5 10 15 20
If y varies directly as x
E O V

15 48 2 4 15 p 4
30 2 d=ks 5/2 y x k 35 I  kV
2 5 3 3 4 s 3

C. Solve the following:

1. A varies directly as the square of b and A  8 , when b  2 . Find A when

b7.

15
 2. The circumference of a circle C varies directly as the radius r of the circle.
The circumference is 10 cm, when the radius if 5 cm. Write an equation and
determine the constant of variation.

3. x varies directly as y 3 . If x  64 when y  2 , find x when y  1 .

Let ‘s summarize

Definition:

A variable y varies directly as variable x if and only if y  kx . The

constant k is called the proportionality constant.

In the same manner, that a variable y varies directly as the square

of x is expressed as y  kx 2 .

Direct variation is also related to proportion. Let (x 1,y1) and (x2, y2)
y1
be any two solutions for y  kx , then y1  kx1 or  k . Similarly you have
x1
y2 y y
y2  kx2 or  k . Since we can equate 1 and 2 to k , it follows
x2 x1 x2
y1 y2
that  .
x1 x2

What have you learned

A. Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. If p varies directly as q , the equation can be written as

p k
a. pq  k b. k  c. p  d. pk = q
q q

2. Which equation shows that p varies directly as q ?

16
 k
a. p  kq b. pq  k c. q  d. q = pk
p

3. If m and n are dependent and independent variables respectively,

which equation shows direct variation.
k
a. mn  k b. m  kn c. m  d. n = mk
n
y1 y2
4.The proportion  is an equation of ____________variation.
x1 x2
a. direct b. inverse c. joint d. square

5. In the equation A =  r2, the constant of variation is

a. A b. r c.  d. 2

B. Determine if the table expresses a direct variation between the variable. If so,
find the constant of variation and an equation that defines the relation.

6. x -3 -9 3 6
y 1 3 6 -2

7. x 7 14 -21 -28
y 3 6 -9 -12

8. A -15 10 -20 25
R -3 2 -4 5

9. R 2 3 4 5
S 1 2 3 4

10. x 16 20 24 28 32
y 12 15 18 21 24

C. Solve for the following.

11. If b is directly proportional to x and b = 8 when x = 3, find b

when x = 12.

12. If y varies as x2 and if y = 40, when x = 2, find the value of x

when y = 10.

17
 Answer key

How much do you know

1. Y 6. Y
2. Y 7. Y
3. N 8. N – usually true but not
4. Y for vintage/classic cars
5. Y 9. Y
10. Y
B.
1. 2 : 3 6. 1 to 10
2. 1: 20
7. 1: 2
3
3. 8. 6 : 7
2
2 9. 1: 2
4.
3
10. 1: 2
5. 1: 4

Try this out

Lesson 1

A. 1. 7 5
6. 
9 4
2.
5 7. 3
1 1
3. 8.
3 3
4. 2 9
9.
1 2
5.
5 2
10.
3

B. 1. y  4 x 6. y= 18/5 x
15
2. y x 7. y= 2/3 x
4
3. y =.7/.04 x 8. y = 2x
4 . y= 16x 9. y = 8x
5. y= 16/5 x 10. y = 5/12 x

18
C. 1. y  36
2. y  63
8
3. x 
3
4. x  4
95
5. y 
58

Lesson 2

A.
1. y  kx
2. A= kp2
3. V= kx3
4. T  k a
5. N= ks
6. R  k 4 m
7. A= kr2

B. What kind of boats do Vampires like?

B L O O D V E S S E L S
15 48 2 4 15 p 4
30 2 d=ks 5/2 y x k 35 I  kV
2 5 3 3 4 s 3

C. 1. A = 98
2. C = 2r
3. x = 8

19
What have you learned

A.
1. b
2. a
3. b
4. a
5. c

B. 6. no
3 3
7. direct variation, k  , y x
7 7

1 1
8. direct variation, k  , R  x
5 5
9. no
3 3
10. direct variation, k  , y  x
4 4

b1 b2
C. 11. 
x1 x2
8 b2

3 12
8(12)
b2 
3
b2  32

12. x = 1

20