To estimate animal populations, biologists count the total number of animals in a small section of a habitat. The total population of animals is directly proportional to the size of the habitat (in acres) polled.

Write an equation using only one variable that could be used to solve for the constant of variation k.

To write an equation using only one variable that could be used to solve for the constant of variation k, we need to use the information provided: "The total population of animals is directly proportional to the size of the habitat (in acres) polled."

Let x represent the size of the habitat (in acres), and let y represent the total population of animals.

According to the given information, we know that the total population y is directly proportional to the size of the habitat x. This can be represented by the equation:

y = kx

Where k is the constant of variation that we want to solve for.

Therefore, the equation using only one variable that could be used to solve for the constant of variation k is:

y = kx