Direct Proportion and The Straight Line Graph
Back Forces Physics Mathematics Contents Index Home
Straight line graphs that go through the origin, like the one immediately below, show that the quantities on the graph are in direct proportion. This graph states, therefore, that A is directly proportional to B. It also states that B is directly proportional to A, but we are going to work with the statement 'A is directly proportional to B'.
For the above graph:
This is how you write a direct proportion. The symbol in the middle is the Greek letter alpha.
It reads: A is directly proportional to B.
It means: By whatever factor A changes, B changes by the same factor.
So, let's look at the graph and see if by whatever factor A changes, B changes by the same factor.
This is what we are looking for, as we go from 'sub 1' to 'sub 2':
About the factor changes:
Below is an example of a point on this graph. The point is (B1, A1) and it has coordinates (1, 1).
For the above graph:
Coordinate for B1.
Coordinate for A1.
We will check for this shape of a graph if we change A by some factor, does B truly change by the same factor, thus showing that this straight line through the origin represents a direct proportion. In the graph below we change the quantity A by a factor of 3; that is, we triple it.
For the above graph:
Coordinates for (B1, A1).
Coordinates for (B2, A2).
Going from 'sub 1' to 'sub 2', A changes by a factor of 3. That is, A1 times a factor of 3 equals A2.
Going from 'sub 1' to 'sub 2', B also changes by a factor of 3. Likewise, B1 times a factor of 3 equals B2.
Both A and B change by the same factor. That factor is 3.
Therefore, A is directly proportional to B.
Again, the picture:
Let's try this below again for another point using the same graph. Here's the picture:
These steps show the factor changes:
For the above graph:
Coordinates for (B1, A1).
Coordinates for (B2, A2).
Going from 'sub 1' to 'sub 2', A changes by a factor of 4.
Going from 'sub 1' to 'sub 2', B also changes by a factor of 4.
Both A and B change by the same factor. That factor is 4.
Therefore, A is directly proportional to B.
Again:
This straight line graph really tells two stories. If you can say that A is directly proportional to B, then you can state that B is directly proportional to A. The above works out the same.
The function in the graph used here is:
Or, using formal function definition writing:
Lastly:
If someone says, 'A is proportional to B', they most assuredly mean, 'A is directly proportional to B'. Some might feel that the constant inclusion of the word 'direct' is unnecessary. It does, though, get to exactly what you are talking about, because there are other types of proportions
The weight of one foot of the steel pipe is 1.24 pounds or more accurately, 1.239905.... pounds.
This type of problem is solved using cross multiplication. You know the length (16.84 feet), and the weight (20.88 pounds), of the steel pipe. But what you do not know is the weight of one foot of the steel pipe. Since that is what we are solving for, the weight of one foot of the steel pipe will be our x variable.
This is how I set it up...
16.84 1
——— * ———
20.88 x
I came up with this equation. The length of the pipes I put in the numerator (top), and the weight I put in the denominator (bottom). Since 16.84 feet of a steel pipe weighs 20.88 pounds, 1 foot of a steel pipe weighs x pounds. After you have the equation set up you then move on to cross multiplication.
Step 1: Multiply the top number of the first fraction by the bottom number of the second fraction.
16.84*x= 16.84x
Step 2: Multiply the bottom number of the first fraction by the top number of the second fraction.
20.88*1=20.88
Step 3: Set the answers from step 1 and step 2 equal to each other.
16.84x=20.88
Step 4: Divide 16.88 on both sides so x is by itself.
16.84x 20.88
——— = ———
16.84 16.84
And after you divide on each side you have your answer which should be x=1.24
Answer:
470?
Step-by-step explanation:
I am not fully sure of the answer
