More Math Help

pebblestar-nightclan • 11 March 2013 at 9:46 PM

Alright, guys, so I'm stuck again. This time it's on direct variation and constant of variation. Mostly it's the equations themselves. I mean, I have no problem with things like y = 6/10x, but when it comes to putting a coefficient in front of y... I'm totally lost. For example, 5y = 81x. I have no clue. I'm trying to find the constant of variation. So, can anyone at least explain briefly what to do? I'm not asking for answers, just an explanation I can understand. 😊

whitefire • 11 March 2013 at 9:58 PM

@Pebblestar-NightClan
If this is slope/graph x and y stuff, you would simply divide both 5y and 81x by five, and voila! No more coefficient, problem solved! ...I think.

pebblestar-nightclan • 11 March 2013 at 9:59 PM

@whitefire
Yeah, it's "slope/graph x and y stuff." XD I sincerely hope you are right, I have been wondering about that for a while. I will try it.

twilight_raptor • 11 March 2013 at 10:00 PM

5y = 81x

(y=kx the constant of variation is k. But first we should get rid of what ever is in front of y so...: )

5y= 81x
(divide both sides by five to get rid of it before 'y')
5y/5 =81x/5
y= 16.2 x

therefore k= constant of variation = 16.2

whitefire • 11 March 2013 at 10:02 PM

@Pebblestar-NightClan
Basic answer: move all coefficients to one side of the equals sign. Like, 4y=20x+2 is y=5x+2.

pebblestar-nightclan • 11 March 2013 at 10:03 PM

@whitefire
Yes, only... You cannot divide one variable by another. As in, you cannot divide 4y from 20x and get 5x. You would have to divide 4X from 20x to get 5x. I believe that is, anyway.

twilight_raptor • 11 March 2013 at 10:05 PM

@pebblestar-nightclan posted above 😋 forgot to ping

whitefire • 11 March 2013 at 10:05 PM

@Pebblestar-NightClan
No, I'm saying you divide the coefficient. I'm in pre-algebra; trust me.
...
...Or maybe don't.

pebblestar-nightclan • 11 March 2013 at 10:12 PM

@whitefire
Yeah, I see. 😸 I'm in pre-algebra, too, I just don't know. It feels like my brain is dying or something. /facepalm/

@twilight_raptor
Oh, okay, thanks. 😸

Well, thank you both for the help! ^^

hedwig68 • 11 March 2013 at 10:12 PM

@pebblestar-nightclan

@whitefire is correct because basically when you've got 5y=81x you divide the side with y on it by five because you want to get rid of the coefficient. Not 5y just 5 cause you gotta keep the y there. Then you divide the two coefficients (81 and 5) and you put x next to it since it's 81x. Still confused? 😸

Edit: Nevermind, we posted at the same time. XD

pebblestar-nightclan • 11 March 2013 at 10:15 PM

@hedwig68
Nope, I think I've got it now. 😸 Thanks for the help, though! It took me a little while, though. /fails/

whitefire • 11 March 2013 at 10:15 PM

@Pebblestar-NightClan
I was right?! YES OHMYGOSHBESTDAYOFMY--ehem, of course I was right.
@Hedwig68
Yew. Go join the Survivial RP now.

pebblestar-nightclan • 11 March 2013 at 10:19 PM

@whitefire
XDDD Yes, you were right. ❤️ Lucky, that doesn't happen to me every day. >.>