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In ACT Science, how do you determine if two variables are directly proportional versus inversely proportional?

Study flashcard from the deck ACT Mastery: English, Math, Reading & Science.

Answer

Direct: both increase together with constant ratio $\frac{y}{x} = k$; Inverse: one increases as the other decreases with constant product $x \cdot y = k$.

Explanation

On a Cartesian graph, direct proportionality passes linearly through the origin $(0, 0)$; inverse proportionality forms a hyperbola in the first quadrant.

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