For the proportional relationship y = - 5x, what is the ratio of vertical change to horizontal change? Will the graph of the line increase or decrease? A. - 51 The graph increases from left to right. B. - 50 The graph increases from left to right. C. - 51 The graph decreases from left to right. D. - 50 The graph decreases from left to right.

The given proportional relationship is y = - 5x.

Therefore the ratio

y/x = - 5 = - 5/1

If x changes by 1, then y/x = y/1 = - 5.

This means that y changes by - 5 when x changes by 1.

The ratio of vertical change is - 5:1

The standard equation for a straight line is

y = m*x + c

where

m = the slope,

c = the y-intercept.

Therefore the given relationship is a straight line with a negative slope of - 5. This means that y decreases as x increases.

Answer: C

-5:1

The graph decreases from left to right.