In direct variation, the relationship between two variables ( y ) and ( x ) can be expressed as ( y = kx ), where ( k ) is the constant of variation. Using the point (-10, -17), we can substitute these values into the equation: ( -17 = k(-10) ). Solving for ( k ) gives ( k = \frac{-17}{-10} = \frac{17}{10} ). Therefore, the equation representing the direct variation is ( y = \frac{17}{10}x ).