Hi Kimberly,

The statement that y is directly proportional to the square of x means that the proportion of y to x² is always the same number. That is there is a constant k so that

y/x² = k

You are told that when x = 2, y = 12. Substitute these values into the above equation and solve for k. You know that k is is a constant so when x = 3, k still has the same value so you can substitute x = 3 into y/x² = k and solve for y.

I hope this helps,
Penny