Proportion/Introductory

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Problem

Solution

If $x=\frac{1}{20}$, then

$\frac{1}{20}=ky$ and
$\frac{y}{20}=\frac{1}{k}$

Solving gets us:

$y=\frac{20}{k}$
$\frac{1}{20}=k\frac{20}{k}$
$\frac{1}{20}=20$

Thus, there is no solution when $x=\frac{1}{20}$
If $y=\frac{1}{20}$, then

$\frac{x}{20}=\frac{1}{k} \Longrightarrow xk=20$
$x=\frac{k}{20}$
$\left(\frac{k}{20}\right)\cdot k=20$
$k^2=400$
$k=\pm 20$

Thus, the possible values of k are $(20,-20)$.