Higher Check In - 5.

02 Direct and inverse

proportion
1. Given that y ∝ x , complete the table.

x 5 10 4.5

y 12 96 32.4

2. y is directly proportional to x 2 . When x = 2 , y = 10 .

Formulate an equation to describe the relationship between x and y.

1
3. y ∝ . When x = 40 , y = 20 . Find y when x = 100 .
x

4. y ∝ x . When x = 100 , y = 45 . Find x when y = 99 .

5. y is inversely proportional to the cubed root of x. When x = 64 , y = 30 .

Find y when x = 125 .

6. The formula for the area of a circle is A = πr 2 . Describe the type of proportion between
the variables A and r.

7. Which of the following graphs does not illustrate a proportional relationship? Explain
why.

A B C D

8. y is inversely proportional to the cube of x and when x is 1, y is 1000. Show that when
x is 5, y will equal 8.

9. A ball is dropped from various heights. It is assumed that the time it takes for the ball
to hit the ground is directly proportional to the square root of the vertical distance
travelled. When the ball is dropped from 4 metres it takes 1 second to reach the
ground. How long will it take when it is dropped from 100 metres?

10. Over a constant distance the speed of a bus, s, is inversely proportional to the travel
time, t. By what percentage will the travel time change if the speed decreases by
20%?
Extension

What real life scenarios could graphs A and B in question 7 represent? Add labels to each
of the axes and describe the relationship between the pairs of variables.
Answers
1.
x 5 10 40 4.5 13.5
y 12 24 96 10.8 32.4

5 2
2. y = x oe
2

3. y = 8

4. x = 484

5. y = 24

6. A is directly proportional to the square of r.

1
7. A y∝ By ∝ x C is not proportional Dy ∝ x
x

C is a linear relationship, y= c − mx , but not directly proportional because it does not

pass through (0, 0).

1 k k
8. y ∝ 3
, y = 3 , 1000 = 3 , therefore k = 1000 .
x x 1
1000 1000 1000
Substituting x = 5 into y = 3 gives = y = = 8.
x 53 125

9. 5 seconds

10. 25% increase in travel time

Extension

Possible solutions include:

A: Painting a wall: time on x and number of people on y.

Travelling time: speed on x and time on y.

B: Wages earned: hours worked on x and money earned on y.

The size of a circle: diameter on x and circumference on y.

There is an opportunity to discuss the dependent and independent variable in each pairing
to determine which variable would be used as the x-axis.

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Assessment Assessment
Qu. Topic R A G Qu. Topic R A G
Objective Objective

AO1 1 Calculate quantities in direct proportion AO1 1 Calculate quantities in direct proportion
Create an equation when a quantity is directly proportional Create an equation when a quantity is directly proportional
AO1 2 AO1 2
to a square of another quantity to a square of another quantity
AO1 3 Calculate inverse proportion AO1 3 Calculate inverse proportion
Calculate direct proportion involving a root of another Calculate direct proportion involving a root of another
AO1 4 AO1 4
quantity quantity
Calculate inverse proportion involving a cubed root of Calculate inverse proportion involving a cubed root of
AO1 5 AO1 5
another quantity another quantity
AO2 6 Recognise proportionality and be able to describe it AO2 6 Recognise proportionality and be able to describe it
Recognise the graphs of proportionality and be able to Recognise the graphs of proportionality and be able to
AO2 7 AO2 7
describe them describe them
Formulate an equation and use correct mathematical Formulate an equation and use correct mathematical
AO2 8 AO2 8
communication communication
Formulate and solve an equation involving a quantity in Formulate and solve an equation involving a quantity in
AO3 9 AO3 9
direct proportion to a root of another quantity direct proportion to a root of another quantity
AO3 10 Solve an inverse proportionality problem AO3 10 Solve an inverse proportionality problem

Assessment Assessment
Qu. Topic R A G Qu. Topic R A G
Objective Objective

AO1 1 Calculate quantities in direct proportion AO1 1 Calculate quantities in direct proportion
Create an equation when a quantity is directly proportional Create an equation when a quantity is directly proportional
AO1 2 AO1 2
to a square of another quantity to a square of another quantity
AO1 3 Calculate inverse proportion AO1 3 Calculate inverse proportion
Calculate direct proportion involving a root of another Calculate direct proportion involving a root of another
AO1 4 AO1 4
quantity quantity
Calculate inverse proportion involving a cubed root of Calculate inverse proportion involving a cubed root of
AO1 5 AO1 5
another quantity another quantity
AO2 6 Recognise proportionality and be able to describe it AO2 6 Recognise proportionality and be able to describe it
Recognise the graphs of proportionality and be able to Recognise the graphs of proportionality and be able to
AO2 7 AO2 7
describe them describe them
Formulate an equation and use correct mathematical Formulate an equation and use correct mathematical
AO2 8 AO2 8
communication communication
Formulate and solve an equation involving a quantity in Formulate and solve an equation involving a quantity in
AO3 9 AO3 9
direct proportion to a root of another quantity direct proportion to a root of another quantity
AO3 10 Solve an inverse proportionality problem AO3 10 Solve an inverse proportionality problem