Direct Proportion & Direct Variation

In our day-to-day life, we observe that the variations in the values of various quantities depend upon the variation in values of some other quantities.

Direct Proportion

For example: if the number of individuals visiting a restaurant increases, earning of the restaurant also increases and vice versa. If more number of people are employed for the same job, the time taken to accomplish the job decreases. Sometimes, we observe that the variation in the value of one quantity is similar to the variation in the value of another quantity that is when the value of one quantity increases then the value of other quantity also increases in the same proportion and vice versa. In such situations two quantities are termed to exist in direct proportion.

The symbol for “direct proportional” is \({\color{Blue} \propto }\) (One should not confuse with the symbol for infinity \({\color{DarkRed} \infty}\) ) Two quantities existing in direct proportion can be expressed as,

\(x ~∝~ y\)

\(\frac{x}{y}\) = \(k\)

\(x\) = \(k~ y\)

k is a non-zero constant of proportionality

Where, x and y are the value of two quantities and k is a constant known as constant of proportionality. If x1, y1 are the initial values and x2, y2 are the final values of quantities existing in direct proportion. They can be expressed as,

\(\frac{x_1}{y_1}\) = \(\frac{x_2}{y_2}\)

Example: a machine manufactures 20units per hour

The units that machine manufactures is directly proportional to how many hours it has worked.

More work the machine does, more are the units manufactured; in direct proportion.

This could be written as:

Units \({\color{Blue} \propto }\) Hours Worked

  • If it works 2 hours we get 40 Units
  • If it works 4 hours we het 80 Units

Some illustrations on direct proportion

Illustration 1: An electric pole, 7 meters high, casts a shadow of 5 meters. Find the height of a tree that casts a shadow of 10 meters under similar conditions.

Solution: Let the height of the tree be \(x\) meters. We know that if the height of pole increases the length of shadow will also increase in same proportion. Hence, we observe that the height of the tree and the length of its shadow exist in direct proportion. In other words height of pole is directly proportional to the length of its shadow. Thus,


\(\frac{7}{5}\) = \(\frac{x}{10}\)

\(x\) = \(14~meters\)

Illustration 2: A train travels 200 km in 5 hours. How much time it will take to cover 600 km?

Solution: Let the time taken be \(T\) hours. We know that time taken is directly proportional to distance covered. Hence,


\(\Rightarrow~\frac{200}{5}\) = \(\frac{600}{T}\)

\(T\) = \(15 ~hours\)

Direct proportion

Illustration 3: The scale of a map is given as \(1:20000000\). Two cities are \(4~cm\) apart on the map. Find the actual distance between them.

Solution: Map distance is \(4~cm\). Let the actual distance be \(x\) cm, then \(1:20000000\) = \(4:x\).

\(\frac{1}{20000000}\) = \(\frac{4}{x}\)

\(\Rightarrow~ x\) = \(80000000~ cm\) = \(800~km\)<

For detailed discussion on the concept of direct proportion and developing a relation between two quantities based on direct proportion, inverse proportion and other topics download Byju’s – The Learning App from Google Play Store and watch interactive videos. Also, take free tests to practice for exams.

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