Graphs of Proportional Relationships
Recall that a proportional relationship can be represented by an equation of the form y = kx, where k is a constant.
The constant, k, is the constant of proportionality, or unit rate.
Notice in the equation y = kx, if x equals 1, then y equals k.
So, on the graph of a proportional relationship, when x equals 1, the corresponding y-value is the constant of proportionality.
Also, in the equation y = kx, notice if x equals 0, then y also equals 0.
So, on a coordinate grid, a line drawn through points which represent a proportional relationship, and extended through the x-axis, contains the point (0, 0).
Does the graph represent a proportional relationship?
The points on the graph lie on a straight line, and the graph contains the point (0, 0). So, the graph does represent a proportional relationship.
Identify the constant of proportionality, and interpret the unit rate.
When x equals 1, the corresponding y-value is the constant of proportionality.
When x equals 1, y equals 10.
The constant of proportionality is 10.
The unit rate can be interpreted as $10 per ticket, or 1 ticket costs $10.
Interpret the point (0, 0).
The point (0, 0) corresponds to an x-value of 0, and a y-value of 0.
x-values represent the number of tickets, and y-values represent the cost.
So, the point (0, 0) can be interpreted as zero fair tickets cost $0.