Final answer:
The value of x when y equals 40 is 50, found by using the directly proportional relationship between x and y and the proportionality constant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The value of y is directly proportional to the value of x. This means if y increases, x will increase by the same proportion, and vice versa. To solve this problem, we use the proportionality constant k. We know that y = 12 when x = 15, so we can find k by using the equation y = kx.
First, let's find k:
12 = k * 15
k = 12 / 15
k = 0.8
Now we can use that k value to find the value of x when y = 40:
y = kx
40 = 0.8x
x = 40 / 0.8
x = 50
Therefore, the value of x when y = 40 is 50.