Question

A student argues that y=x9 does not represent a proportional relationship between x and y because we need to multiply one variable by the same constant to get the other one and not divide it by a constant. Do you agree or disagree with this student

Answer 1

A proportional relationship can we written as follows:-

y = mx

Where 'y' is dependent variable, 'x' is independent variable, and 'm' is the slope or we can say 'm' is constant of proportionality.

'm' can take any value whether negative or positive, decimal or whole number. 'm' is a real number.

The given problem is y = x/9 and student says we can only multiply constant, and not divide. We disagree with this comment because m= 1/9 is correct.

So y = 1/9 x makes sense.

y = x/9 represents a proportional relationship.