Final answer:
The equation that relates the variables x and y in direct variation is y = -2x.
Step-by-step explanation:
The equation that relates the variables x and y in direct variation is y = -2x.
Direct variation is a mathematical relationship between two variables in which one variable is a constant multiple of the other. In this case, since x and y vary directly, the equation is in the form y = kx, where k is the constant of variation.
Given that x = -18 and y = -9, we can substitute these values into the equation y = kx and solve for k. Plugging in the values, we have -9 = k(-18). Solving for k, we get k = -9/(-18) = 1/2. So the equation that relates x and y is y = (1/2)x. Multiplying both sides of the equation by 2, we get y = -2x.