SOLUTION: In this problem, the direct variation being represented is: 9y+4x=3.5 The problem also wants me to figure out the constant of variation. I know the formula for a direct variatio

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Question 917653: In this problem, the direct variation being represented is:
9y+4x=3.5
The problem also wants me to figure out the constant of variation.
I know the formula for a direct variation is y/x = k or y = kx
I also know that the constant of variation is k, but I am not sure how to find the constant variation of this problem.
Thank you!
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, josgarithmetic:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
9y+4x=3.5 is NOT a direct variation equation because it is impossible to place that equation into the form y = k*x

So the book has a typo in it if it says " the direct variation being represented is: 9y+4x=3.5"

Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Purely academic experience helps to understand Variation and Linear Equations containing a Constant Term to be separate and usually not usually coordinated with each other.

Your given equation can be solved for y in terms of x.

This shows a RATE relating change of y to change of x. For the given equation, this rate is a slope, or a constant, but one would not think of it as a proportionality constant for Direct nor Indirect Variation.

I have never seen direct nor indirect variation including any constant TERM. Direct and indirect variation is always treated as a separate topic from the study of equations for lines; although any such y=kx still does represent a line; but y=k/x does NOT represent a line.

Have you an exercise problem that expects you to relate direct or indirect variation to a linear equation in standard form which includes a constant TERM? The exercise is confusing two very separate topics.