Final answer:
The constant of proportionality in the Lego pricing equation is 0.12, representing the cost of each individual Lego piece.
Step-by-step explanation:
The constant of proportionality in the equation y = 0.12x is 0.12. This constant represents the cost per each individual Lego piece. In practical terms, it tells us that for every Lego piece, $0.12 is added to the total cost. This is the rate at which the cost increases with each additional Lego piece. The equation is a direct variation, where the total cost (y) is directly proportional to the number of Lego pieces (x). Therefore, if you buy 1,000 Lego pieces, as per the given scenario, the cost would be 1,000 times $0.12, which equals $120.
The equation y = 0.12x represents the situation where x is the number of Lego pieces and y is the total cost. In this equation, the constant of proportionality is 0.12, which is the coefficient of x. The constant of proportionality represents the rate at which the cost increases per Lego piece.
For example, if x is 1000, the total cost y would be 0.12 * 1000 = $120. Similarly, if x is 2000, the total cost y would be 0.12 * 2000 = $240. So, the constant of proportionality tells us that for each additional Lego piece, the cost increases by $0.12.