Is #-4x + y = 0# a direct variation and if so, how do you find the constant?

2 Answers
Mar 28, 2018

Yes. The constant is #4#.

Explanation:

We are given:

#-4x+y=0#

To vary directly means we can find a form #y = \alpha x#, where #\alpha# is some constant.

If we add #4x# to each side of the above equation we get:

#y = 4x#

So we can see that #y# and #x# vary directly by #4#.

Mar 28, 2018

#color(blue)(4)

Explanation:

Direct variation is given by:

#y=kx#

Where #k# is the constant of variation.

#-4x+y=0#

Rearrange to get y in terms of x:

#y=4x#

Compare:

#y=kx#
#y=4x#

So #-4x+y=0# does represent direct variation.

#:.#

Constant of variation is:

#k=color(blue)(4)#