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| Question 47773:  a varible y varies directly with the square of x.  if x=2 when y-4, find the constant of proportionality, k.
 how do you find that out?  I am confused.  please help.  thanks so much!
 Found 2 solutions by  stanbon, tutorcecilia:
 Answer by stanbon(75887)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! a varible y varies directly with the square of x.  if x=2 when y=4, find the constant of proportionality, k. 
 Based on the 1st sentence y=kx^2
 You need to find "k".
 Based on the 2nd sentence 4=k(2^2)
 k=4/4=1
 Comment: I noticed you might have meant to type y=-4
 If so, you would have -4=k(2^2).
 Then k would equal -1
 Cheers,
 Stan H.
Answer by tutorcecilia(2152)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Since this is direct variation, use the formula: y=x^2k ["k" is the constant that does not change]
 This means that as y changes, x changes.  If y is increased, x is increased. If y decreases, x will also decrease. "k" will stay the same.
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 Since x=2 and y=4, than plug-in the values and solve for "k"
 4=2^2k
 4=4k
 4/4=4k/4
 1=k
 So, y=x^(1)
 .
 For an indirect variation, use the formula:
 y=k/x [And plug-in the values]
 This means that as y changes, x changes inversely.  That is, as y increases, x decreases.  If y decreases, x increases.  In either case, "k" will stay the same.
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