The perimeter of a square is proportional to the length of its sides. This relationship can be expressed by the equation p=4s. What is the constant of proportionality and what does it mean?

Question

Mathematics

Rhett Fitzpatrick

16 April, 18:04

The perimeter of a square is proportional to the length of its sides. This relationship can be expressed by the equation p=4s. What is the constant of proportionality and what does it mean?

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Reid Chung · Answer 1

Constant of proportionality is the constant value of the two proportional quantities, in this problem p and s, where 4 is the factor of proportionality because it is constant or k.

In simple terms, p is in direct proportion to s wherein the increase or decrease in value of s results to the increase or decrease in value of p with 4 the only factor remaining unchanged.

In the above problem, the number 4 is derived from the word square. We all know that a square has 4 sides of equal lengths, therefore, the perimeter is equivalent to the product of 4 and its lenght.