11.
4a Links Between Variables – Detailed Guide
1. Causal Link
A causal link means one variable directly affects or influences another — a change in the first
(cause) produces a change in the second (effect).
This goes beyond mere association: there is a direct mechanism or process connecting them.
Establishing a causal link usually requires strong experimental evidence (randomized controlled
trials, temporal order, elimination of confounders). In everyday language and many exam
questions, “causal link” or “causes” implies this direct effect relationship.
Exam tip: Words like “leads to,” “results in,” “affects,” “influences directly,” or “is responsible for”
often signal a claimed causal link. Always check if the evidence supports causation or just
correlation.
2. Proportional & Linear Relationships 📈
These describe how two variables change in relation to each other — especially useful in
physics, maths, economics, and science experiments.
Direct proportion (also called direct variation or directly proportional)
When one variable increases, the other increases by exactly the same factor (or proportion).
Mathematically: y ∝ x or y = kx (where k is the constant of proportionality — a fixed number).
Key features of the graph:
● Straight line
● Passes through the origin (0,0)
● Positive gradient (slope) = k
Examples:
● Distance travelled at constant speed vs time (distance = speed × time)
● Cost of apples vs number bought (if price per apple is fixed)
● Force vs acceleration for fixed mass (F = ma)
If you double x, y doubles. Triple x, y triples. The ratio y/x is always constant (=k).
Linear relationship (but not proportional)
The graph is still a straight line, but it does not pass through the origin.
Mathematically: y = mx + c (where c ≠ 0 is the y-intercept)
Key features:
● Straight line
● Constant gradient (slope = m = rate of change)
● Crosses y-axis at c (not zero)
Examples:
● Total cost of taxi ride vs distance (fixed starting fee + charge per km)
● Temperature in °C vs °F (F = 1.8C + 32)
● Height of a plant vs days watered (starting from a non-zero height)
Here, even when x = 0, y is not zero. Doubling x does not double y — there’s an added
constant offset.
Quick comparison table:
Feature Direct Proportion Linear (non-proportional)
Equation y = kx y = mx + c (c ≠ 0)
Graph shape Straight line Straight line
Passes through Yes No
(0,0)?
Ratio y/x Constant (=k) Changes
If x doubles… y doubles y increases by 2m (not
double)
Real-world example Speed × time = Salary = base + bonus ×
distance hours
3. Inverse Proportion 📉
When one variable increases, the other decreases — and they change in such a way that their
product remains constant.
Mathematically: y ∝ 1/x or y = k/x (k is constant)
Or: x × y = k (constant product)
Key features of the graph:
● Curved line (hyperbola shape)
● In first quadrant (if both positive): as x increases, y decreases rapidly at first, then more
slowly
● Never touches either axis (asymptotes)
● If you plot y vs 1/x, it becomes a straight line through origin
Classic example: Boyle’s Law (ideal gas at constant temperature)
Pressure (P) and volume (V) are inversely proportional:
P ∝ 1/V or P × V = constant
Graph of P vs V → downward curve (hyperbola)
Graph of P vs 1/V → straight line through origin
Other examples:
● Time taken to finish a job vs number of workers (more workers → less time)
● Speed vs time to travel fixed distance (faster speed → shorter time)
● Resistance vs cross-sectional area of wire (thicker wire → lower resistance)
● Gravitational force vs distance between objects (inverse square: F ∝ 1/d²)
Exam traps to avoid:
● Confusing linear with proportional: “It’s a straight line, so directly proportional” → wrong if
it doesn’t go through origin!
● Thinking inverse proportion is a straight line downward → no, it’s curved (unless plotted
as y vs 1/x).
● Forgetting constant product in inverse: check if x₁ × y₁ = x₂ × y₂
Memorable summary slogan:
● Direct proportion → straight line through origin → doubles together
● Linear but not proportional → straight line not through origin → constant added
● Inverse proportion → curved hyperbola → one up, other down, product fixed
Master these graphs — they appear everywhere in science, maths papers, and data
interpretation questions. Being able to sketch them quickly and label axes correctly scores easy
marks!