inversely proportional
What is another word for inversely proportional? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.
Adjective — Related in such a way that when one quantity increases, the other decreases by the same factor, so that multiplying the two together always gives the same number.
Antonyms
directly proportional
How to use inversely proportional
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
inversely proportional to
varies inversely
inverse proportion
inversely proportional relationship
Technical in maths and science; used loosely and jokingly in everyday speech.
Etymology
From Latin inversus 'turned upside down' plus proportio 'a share or relation'.
Full origin of inversely proportional →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between inversely proportional and directly proportional?
If two quantities are directly proportional, they rise and fall together and their ratio y divided by x stays constant. If they are inversely proportional, one falls as the other rises and their product x times y stays constant. Directly proportional graphs are straight lines through the origin; inversely proportional ones are curves called hyperbolas.
How do you write inversely proportional as a formula?
You write y is proportional to 1 over x, which becomes the equation y equals k divided by x, where k is a constant. Rearranged, that means x times y equals k for every pair of values.
Does inversely proportional just mean one goes up when the other goes down?
Not in maths. That looser idea is a negative or inverse relationship. True inverse proportion is stricter: doubling one quantity must exactly halve the other.
