2.5.4
Graphs of Proportion
Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
Direct and Inverse Proportion Graphs
We can show the two different types of proportionality between two variables on a graph.
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Direct proportion
- If y and x are directly proportional, the graph of the relationship will be a straight line graph.
- It must pass through the origin.
- It could have a negative slope.
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
y = 2x
- For every increase in x, y increases by twice that amount.
- Since it goes through the origin, y is always double x.
- y is directly proportional to x with k = 2.
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
y = 2x + 3
- This graph shows y = 2x + 3.
- Every increase in x corresponds to twice that increase in y.
- y is not directly proportional to x because of the '+ 3'.
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Inverse proportion
- If y and x are inversely proportional then the graph is a curved line that never touches the x or y axes.
- Part of the graph lies in quadrant I and part of the graph lies in quadrant III.

Unit rate
- The constant of proportionality can also be thought of as a unit rate, or "y per unit x".
- The unit rate is equal to the y-coordinate of the graph when x = 1.
1Proof
1.1Types of Numbers
1.2Notation
2Algebra & Functions
2.1Powers & Roots
2.2Quadratic Equations
2.3Inequalities
2.4Polynomials
2.5Graphs
2.7Transformation of Graphs
3Coordinate Geometry
3.1Straight Lines
3.2Circles
3.2.1Equations of Circles centred at Origin3.2.2Finding the Centre & Radius3.2.3Equation of a Tangent3.2.4Circle Theorems - Perpendicular Bisector3.2.5Circle Theorems - Angle at the Centre3.2.6Circle Theorems - Angle at a Semi-Circle3.2.7Equation of a Perpendicular Bisector3.2.8Equation of a Circumcircle3.2.9Circumcircle of a Right-angled Triangle
3.3Parametric Equations (A2 only)
4Sequences & Series
4.1Binomial Expansion
5Trigonometry
5.2Trigonometric Functions
5.3Triangle Rules
6Exponentials & Logarithms
6.1Exponentials & Logarithms
7Differentiation
7.1Derivatives
7.2Graphs & Differentiation
7.3Differentiation With Trigonometry and Exponentials
7.4Rules of Differetiation (A2 only)
7.5Parametric & Implicit Differentiation
8Integration
8.1Integration
9Numerical Methods
9.1Finding Solutions
9.2Finding the Area
10Vectors
10.12D Vectors
10.23D Vectors
10.3Vector Proofs
Jump to other topics
1Proof
1.1Types of Numbers
1.2Notation
2Algebra & Functions
2.1Powers & Roots
2.2Quadratic Equations
2.3Inequalities
2.4Polynomials
2.5Graphs
2.7Transformation of Graphs
3Coordinate Geometry
3.1Straight Lines
3.2Circles
3.2.1Equations of Circles centred at Origin3.2.2Finding the Centre & Radius3.2.3Equation of a Tangent3.2.4Circle Theorems - Perpendicular Bisector3.2.5Circle Theorems - Angle at the Centre3.2.6Circle Theorems - Angle at a Semi-Circle3.2.7Equation of a Perpendicular Bisector3.2.8Equation of a Circumcircle3.2.9Circumcircle of a Right-angled Triangle
3.3Parametric Equations (A2 only)
4Sequences & Series
4.1Binomial Expansion
5Trigonometry
5.2Trigonometric Functions
5.3Triangle Rules
6Exponentials & Logarithms
6.1Exponentials & Logarithms
7Differentiation
7.1Derivatives
7.2Graphs & Differentiation
7.3Differentiation With Trigonometry and Exponentials
7.4Rules of Differetiation (A2 only)
7.5Parametric & Implicit Differentiation
8Integration
8.1Integration
9Numerical Methods
9.1Finding Solutions
9.2Finding the Area
10Vectors
10.12D Vectors
10.23D Vectors
10.3Vector Proofs
Practice questions on Graphs of Proportion
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4What is the equation for this straight line graph?Multiple choice
- 5What is the unit rate of the graph shown?Multiple choice
Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium
Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions
Mini-mock exams based on your study history
Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books