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Is it proportional: x 1, 3, 4; y 2, 6, 8

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, 3, 4, and y is 2, 6, 8?

x: 1, 3, 4; y: 2, 6, 8

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.

2/1 is 2.

6/3 is 2.

8/4 is 2.

= 21 = 2, 63 = 2, 84 = 2

2 Compare the answers

The same number every time.

So it is proportional, and k = 2.

= always 2 → proportional

3 Write the equation

y = k x, with k = 2.

So the equation is y = 2x.

= y = 2x

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 = 2x

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Is this table proportional: x: 1, 3, 4; y: 3, 9, 12
Show the answer
proportional: y = 3x

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