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Is it proportional: x 1, 2, 3; y 3, 6, 9

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Proportional relationships · Foundations

Step by step

The question

Question: is this table proportional: x is 1, 2, 3, and y is 3, 6, 9?

x: 1, 2, 3; y: 3, 6, 9

Proportional means: y divided by x is always the same number.

We call that number k.

Then y = k times x.

proportional: y ÷ x is always the same
k = y ÷ x, y = kx

We write it as a table.

1 Divide y by x

For each pair we work out y divided by x.

3/1 is 3.

6/2 is 3.

9/3 is 3.

= 31 = 3, 62 = 3, 93 = 3

2 Compare the answers

The same number every time.

So it is proportional, and k = 3.

= always 3 → proportional

3 Write the equation

y = k x, with k = 3.

So the equation is y = 3x.

= y = 3x

4 Check

Let's check on a graph.

We put the points on the grid.

They lie on a straight line through (0, 0).

That is the picture of proportional.

So the answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: divide y by x.

Then: compare the answers.

Then: write the equation.

Last: check.

Answer
= y = 3x

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Is this table proportional: x: 1, 2, 3; y: 2, 4, 6
Show the answer
proportional: y = 2x

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