Direct Variation

When two variables change in proportion it is called as direct variation. In direct variation one variable is constant times of other. If one variable increases other will increase, if one decrease other will also decease. This means that the variables change in a same ratio which is called as constant of variation.

Direct variation is the simplest type of variation and in practical life we can find many situations which can be co-related with direct variation.

If two variables A and B are so related that when A increases ( or decreases ) in a given ratio, B also increases ( or, decreases ) in the same ratio, then A is said to vary directly as B ( or, A is said to vary as B ).

This is symbolically written as, A ∝ B (read as, ‘A varies as B’ ). 

Suppose a train moving at a uniform speed travels d km. in t minutes. Now, consider the following table:

Like in a math examination if for one problem solving we can score 10 numbers, so five problems solving we can get 50 numbers. This can be explained with a direct variation equation. If T denotes total numbers scored, N denotes numbers of problem solved and K denotes numbers can be scored for solving a problem, then the direct variation equation for this situation will be T = KN. 

As the numbers for a problem can be scored is fixed, it is a constant = K = $\frac{T}{N}$ = 10

For solving 5 problems total numbers scored T = KN = 10 x 5 = 50.

From the above example we can understand that the ratio of two variables is a constant K and T, N are the variables which changes in proportion with value of constant.

Direct variation can be by a linear equation Y = KX where K is a constant. When the value of constant is higher, the change of variable Y is significantly for small change of X. But when the value of K is very small, Y changes very less with change of X. For this case K is equivalent to the ratio of change of two variables. So $\frac{σY}{σX}$ = K when K is very small.

Now we will solve some problems on direct variation:

1. If P varies directly as Q and the value of P is 60 and Q is 40, what is the equation that describes this direct variation of P and Q?

Solution:

As P varies directly with Q, ratio of P and Q is constant for any value of P and Q.

So constant K = $\frac{P}{Q}$ = $\frac{60}{40}$ = $\frac{3}{2}$

So the equation that describes the direct variation of P and Q is P = $\frac{3}{2}$Q.

2. If a car runs at a constant speed and takes 3 hrs to run a distance of 180 km, what time it will take to run 100 km?

Solution:

If T is the time taken to cover the distance and S is the distance and V is the speed of the car, the direct variation equation is S= VT where V is constant.

For the case given in the problem,

180 = V × 3 or V = $\frac{180}{3}$ = 60

So speed of the car is 60kmph and it is constant.

For 100 km distance 

S = VT or 100 = 60 × T

T = $\frac{100}{60}$ = $\frac{5}{3}$ hrs = 1 hr 40 mins.

So it will take 1 hr 40 mins time.

3. In X is in direct variation with square of Y and when X is 4, Y is 3. What is the value of X when Y is 6?

Solution:

From the given problem direct variation equation can be expressed as

X = KY²

For the given case

4 = K × 3²

or, 4 = 9K

or, K = $\frac{4}{9}$

So when Y is 6,

X = $\frac{4}{9}$ × 6 = $\frac{8}{3}$

So the value of X is $\frac{8}{3}$.

● Variation

• What is Variation?
  
• Direct Variation
  
• Inverse Variation
  
• Joint Variation
  
• Theorem of Joint Variation
  
• Worked out Examples on Variation
  
• Problems on Variation

11 and 12 Grade Math 

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