Which of the following tables represents a proportional relationship?

A.
x 1 4 7 10
y 0 3 6 9

B.
x 2 4 6 8
y 3 4 5 6

C.
x 2 3 4 5
y 3 6 9 12

D.
x 4 6 8 10
y 6 9 12 15

1 answer

To determine which table represents a proportional relationship, we need to check if the ratio \( \frac{y}{x} \) is constant for each pair of \( (x, y) \).

Option A:

  • For \( x = 1, y = 0 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{0}{1} = 0 \)
  • For \( x = 4, y = 3 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{3}{4} = 0.75 \)
  • For \( x = 7, y = 6 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{6}{7} \approx 0.857 \)
  • For \( x = 10, y = 9 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{9}{10} = 0.9 \)

The ratios are not constant. So, A is not proportional.

Option B:

  • For \( x = 2, y = 3 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{3}{2} = 1.5 \)
  • For \( x = 4, y = 4 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{4}{4} = 1 \)
  • For \( x = 6, y = 5 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{5}{6} \approx 0.833 \)
  • For \( x = 8, y = 6 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{6}{8} = 0.75 \)

The ratios are not constant. So, B is not proportional.

Option C:

  • For \( x = 2, y = 3 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{3}{2} = 1.5 \)
  • For \( x = 3, y = 6 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{6}{3} = 2 \)
  • For \( x = 4, y = 9 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{9}{4} = 2.25 \)
  • For \( x = 5, y = 12 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{12}{5} = 2.4 \)

The ratios are not constant. So, C is not proportional.

Option D:

  • For \( x = 4, y = 6 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{6}{4} = 1.5 \)
  • For \( x = 6, y = 9 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{9}{6} = 1.5 \)
  • For \( x = 8, y = 12 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{12}{8} = 1.5 \)
  • For \( x = 10, y = 15 \): \( \frac{y}{x} = \frac{15}{10} = 1.5 \)

The ratio \( \frac{y}{x} \) is constant at 1.5. Thus, D is proportional.

The table that represents a proportional relationship is: Option D.