Question

While on a road trip, Steve drove 300 miles in 5 hours. After stopping for gas, he drove an additional 120 miles in 2 hours. Does this situation represent a direct variation? If so, what are the independent and dependent variables?

A.
Yes, this is direct variation. Miles driven is the independent variable, and time is the dependent variable.
B.
Yes, this is direct variation. Time is the independent variable, and miles driven is the dependent variable.
C.
Yes, this is direct variation. However, because Steve stopped, the variables cannot be determined.
D.
This is not a direct variation because the data would not go through the origin.

Answer 1

B. Yes, this is direct variation. Time is the independent variable, and miles driven is the dependent variable.

Explanation:

Answer 2

B. Yes, this is direct variation. Time is the independent variable, and miles driven is the dependent variable.

Explanation:

In a direct variation, when the independent variable increase the dependent variable also increases. In this case, the independent variable is the time (time is always independent) and the miles driven by Steve is the dependent variable. This means, the miles driven increase as time pass.