Identifying

Proportional
Relationships
in Graphs
Exploring Slope and Constant of
Proportionality 8.EE.5
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will:
● Recognise proportional relationships in
graphs.
● Understand and calculate slope
(gradient) and the constant of
proportionality.
● Interpret real-life situations using
proportional graphs.
● Identify and explain the features of
proportional relationships.
● Apply your knowledge to solve problems
involving proportionality.
Key Vocabulary

Slope Gradient
The measure of Another word for
how steep a line slope; shows how
Proportion is; also called the
Variable much a line rises
A relationship gradient. A symbol or letter or falls.
where two that can represent
quantities different values in
increase or a relationship.
decrease at the
same rate.
Mind Activation:
Where Do You See
Proportions?
Think about your daily life:
● When do you see things increasing or
decreasing at the same rate?
● Can you think of examples where doubling one
thing doubles another?
Share your ideas with a partner or write them
down.
Proportional Relationships: Key Ideas

Second
Graph Shape
A straight line through the origin 0,0
shows a proportional relationship.

First Third
Direct Proportion Constant Slope
Two variables increase or decrease The slope (gradient) stays the same
together at the same rate. everywhere on the line.
What Makes a Relationship
Proportional?
Key Features
● The graph is a straight line.
● The line passes through the origin 0,0.
● The ratio between the two variables is
always the same.
This means: If you double one variable, the
other doubles too.
Proportional vs Non-Proportional
Graphs

Proportional Non-Proportional
Goes through the origin. Does not pass through the origin.
Constant rate of change. Rate of change may vary.
How to Spot
Proportional
Relationships
Check Origin
1
Does the line pass through 0,0? This is
essential for proportionality.

2 Is It Straight?
A proportional relationship is always a
straight line on the graph.

3 Constant Slope
The rate of change (slope) should be the
same everywhere.
Understanding Slope (Gradient)
What is Slope?
Slope measures how steep a line is. It tells
you how much one variable changes
compared to another.
Formula:
Slope = Change in y / Change in x
A higher slope means a steeper line.
Slope in Proportional Graphs
In a proportional relationship, the slope
(gradient) is also called the constant of
proportionality.
This number tells you how much y increases
for every increase in x.
For example: If the slope is 3, every time x
goes up by 1, y goes up by 3.
Discuss! 󰤈 󰡇 💬

The Origin's Importance

Why do you think the line must go
through the origin for a relationship
to be proportional? Discuss with a
partner and share your reasoning.
Discuss! 󰤈 󰡇 💬 ✅

You might have said...

Because if one quantity is zero, the other quantity must also be zero for
them to be proportional.
If it didn't go through the origin, it would mean there's a starting
amount even when the input is zero, which isn't proportional.
The ratio between the two variables wouldn't be constant if it didn't
start at 0,0.
The Constant of Proportionality (k)
What is 'k'?
The constant of proportionality (k) is the
number you multiply x by to get y in a
proportional relationship.
Equation: y = kx
The value of k is the same as the slope of the
line.
Example: Proportional Graph
Suppose you earn £8 for each hour you
work.
● If you work 1 hour: £8
● If you work 2 hours: £16
● If you work 3 hours: £24
The graph is a straight line through the origin
with a slope of 8.
Fill in the blanks 🧩

In a proportional relationship, the graph is a ____ line that passes

through the ____, and the slope is called the constant of ____.

Word bank 🏦
origin, curved, axis, proportionality, gradient, straight

Answers on the next slide...

Fill in the blanks 🧩 ✅

In a proportional relationship, the graph is a straight line that

passes through the origin, and the slope is called the constant of
proportionality.

Word bank 🏦
origin, curved, axis, proportionality, gradient, straight
Non-Proportional Example
Suppose you pay £5 to enter a fair and £2 for
each ride.
● For 0 rides, you still pay £5.
● The graph does not go through the
origin.
This is not a proportional relationship.
Real Life Application: Recipes
If you double a recipe, every ingredient
doubles. This is a proportional relationship!
For example, if 2 eggs make 10 pancakes, 4
eggs make 20 pancakes. The graph of eggs
vs pancakes is a straight line through the
origin.
Get creative 🖼

Design Your Own Proportional

World!
Working in pairs, invent a real-life
situation that clearly shows a
proportional relationship. Sketch a simple
graph to represent it, making sure it's a
straight line passing through the origin!
What you'll need: 🎨 🖌
Paper, Coloured Pens
Cross-Curricular Connection: Science
Speed = Distance ÷ Time is often a
proportional relationship.
If you travel at a constant speed, the graph of
distance vs time is a straight line through the
origin. The slope shows your speed.
Spotting Proportionality in Tables
If the ratio y/x is always the same for all pairs
in a table, the relationship is proportional.
Example:
● x: 2, 4, 6
● y: 10, 20, 30
● y/x = 5 every time
Match the words with the definitions 🎯

1. Origin a) How much one quantity changes in relation to

another; represented by the slope or gradient of a
line.

2. Rate of Change b) The point 0,0) on a coordinate graph, where the

x-axis and y-axis intersect.

3. Direct Proportion c) A relationship where two quantities increase or

decrease together at the same constant rate.

4. Constant of d) The constant ratio between two proportional

Proportionality quantities, equal to the slope of its graph (k in
y=kx).
Identifying Proportional Relationships in Graphs
Name:
Page 1 of 2
Multiple Choice Quiz: 12 Questions 🤔

Q1. Which of the following best describes a proportional relationship on Q2. What is the point called where a proportional relationship line must
a graph? pass through?
a) The graph is a curved line and passes through the origin. a) Y-intercept
b) The graph is a straight line that does not pass through the origin. b) Vertex
c) The graph is a straight line that passes through the origin. c) Origin
d) The graph is horizontal. d) X-intercept

Q3. If you double the x-value in a proportional relationship, what Q4. What is the formula for the slope (gradient) of a line?
happens to the y-value? a) Change in x / Change in y
a) It stays the same. b) x + y
b) It is halved. c) Change in y / Change in x
c) It doubles. d) y - x
d) It triples.

Q5. In the equation y = kx, what does the 'k' represent? Q6. A graph shows the distance travelled against time at a constant
a) X-coordinate speed and passes through the origin. What is the slope of the line?
b) Constant of proportionality a) It is the speed.
c) Y-intercept b) It is the time travelled.
d) Gradient intercept c) It is the y-intercept.
d) It is the difference in distance.
Multiple Choice Quiz: 12 Questions 🤔 Page 2 of 2

Q7. Which of the following tables shows a proportional relationship Q8. You earn £5 for every hour you work. Which equation models this as
between x and y? a proportional relationship between money earned (y) and hours
a) x: 1, 2, 3 | y: 3, 6, 9 worked (x)?
b) x: 1, 2, 3 | y: 2, 5, 7 a) y = 5 + x
c) x: 1, 2, 3 | y: 2, 4, 7 b) y = x/5
d) x: 1, 2, 3 | y: 3, 5, 8 c) y = 5x
d) y = x − 5

Q9. The graph of a proportional relationship always has: Q10. If a line has a slope (gradient) of 4, what is the constant of
a) A straight line with a non-zero y-intercept. proportionality?
b) A straight line through the origin. a) 0
c) A curved line through the origin. b) Depends on x and y
d) A horizontal line. c) 4
d) 1/4

Q11. Which mistake means a graph is NOT showing a proportional Q12. A recipe uses 2 eggs for 10 pancakes. How many pancakes can be
relationship? made with 6 eggs using the same ratio?
a) Using a straight line through 0,0 a) 20
b) Having variable ratios for each point b) 24
c) Checking the slope is constant c) 18
d) Passing through the origin d) 30
Identifying Proportional Relationships in Graphs The Answers!
Page 1 of 2
Multiple Choice Quiz: 12 Questions 🤔

Q1. Which of the following best describes a proportional relationship on Q2. What is the point called where a proportional relationship line must
a graph? pass through?
a) The graph is a curved line and passes through the origin. a) Y-intercept
b) The graph is a straight line that does not pass through the origin. b) Vertex
c) The graph is a straight line that passes through the origin. ✅ c) Origin ✅
d) The graph is horizontal. d) X-intercept

Q3. If you double the x-value in a proportional relationship, what Q4. What is the formula for the slope (gradient) of a line?
happens to the y-value? a) Change in x / Change in y
a) It stays the same. b) x + y
b) It is halved. c) Change in y / Change in x ✅
c) It doubles. ✅ d) y - x
d) It triples.

Q5. In the equation y = kx, what does the 'k' represent? Q6. A graph shows the distance travelled against time at a constant
a) X-coordinate speed and passes through the origin. What is the slope of the line?
b) Constant of proportionality ✅ a) It is the speed. ✅
c) Y-intercept b) It is the time travelled.
d) Gradient intercept c) It is the y-intercept.
d) It is the difference in distance.
Multiple Choice Quiz: 12 Questions 🤔 Page 2 of 2

Q7. Which of the following tables shows a proportional relationship Q8. You earn £5 for every hour you work. Which equation models this as
between x and y? a proportional relationship between money earned (y) and hours
a) x: 1, 2, 3 | y: 3, 6, 9 ✅ worked (x)?
b) x: 1, 2, 3 | y: 2, 5, 7 a) y = 5 + x
c) x: 1, 2, 3 | y: 2, 4, 7 b) y = x/5
d) x: 1, 2, 3 | y: 3, 5, 8 c) y = 5x ✅
d) y = x − 5

Q9. The graph of a proportional relationship always has: Q10. If a line has a slope (gradient) of 4, what is the constant of
a) A straight line with a non-zero y-intercept. proportionality?
b) A straight line through the origin. ✅ a) 0
c) A curved line through the origin. b) Depends on x and y
d) A horizontal line. c) 4 ✅
d) 1/4

Q11. Which mistake means a graph is NOT showing a proportional Q12. A recipe uses 2 eggs for 10 pancakes. How many pancakes can be
relationship? made with 6 eggs using the same ratio?
a) Using a straight line through 0,0 a) 20
b) Having variable ratios for each point ✅ b) 24 ✅
c) Checking the slope is constant c) 18
d) Passing through the origin d) 30
Match the words with the definitions 🎯✅

1. Origin b) The point 0,0) on a coordinate graph, where the

x-axis and y-axis intersect.

2. Rate of Change a) How much one quantity changes in relation to

another; represented by the slope or gradient of a
line.

3. Direct Proportion c) A relationship where two quantities increase or

decrease together at the same constant rate.

4. Constant of d) The constant ratio between two proportional

Proportionality quantities, equal to the slope of its graph (k in
y=kx).
Common Mistakes
Watch out for these:
● Thinking every straight line is
proportional (it must go through the
origin!
● Forgetting to check if the ratio stays the
same
● Mixing up slope with y-intercept
Collaborative Challenge
Work in small groups:
● Each group gets a graph (some
proportional, some not)
● Decide if the relationship is proportional
and explain why
● Share your reasoning with the class
Proportional Graphs & Slope Quiz

Question 1
What two conditions must a straight line graph satisfy to represent a proportional
relationship?

Question 2
If a graph shows that 2 litres of paint cover 24 square metres, and 5 litres cover 60
square metres, what is the constant of proportionality?

Question 3
Explain how to calculate the slope (gradient) of a line on a graph, and how it relates to
the constant of proportionality in a proportional relationship.

Answers on the next slide...

Proportional Graphs & Slope Quiz ✅
Answer 1
The graph must be a straight line and pass through the origin 0,0.

Answer 2
The constant of proportionality is 12 square metres per litre, found by dividing the area
covered by the amount of paint 24/2  12 or 60/5  12.

Answer 3
The slope is calculated as the change in y divided by the change in x (rise over run),
and in a proportional relationship, this slope is precisely the constant of proportionality
(k).
Review: Key Takeaways
Remember:
● Proportional graphs are straight lines
through the origin
● The slope (gradient) is the constant of
proportionality
● Use tables, equations, and graphs to
spot proportionality
● Real-life examples are everywhere!
Well Done!
You've learned how to identify proportional
relationships in graphs and understand slope and
the constant of proportionality.
Keep practising and look for proportional
relationships in the world around you!