Inversely Proportional

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈvɜr'sli prəˈpoʊr.ʃə.nl/ Explain

Two variables are inversely proportional if the multiplicative inverse of one has a common ratio with the other. A general equation for variables that are inversely proportional is
y=a/x.
In this equation x and y are the variables that are inversely proportional. a is the constant of variation.

An example of variables that are inversely proportional is the time it takes to make a trip as a function of speed. The faster you go, the quicker (less time) you get there. This can be expressed with the function
t(s)=100/s
where t(s) is the time it takes to make the trip, 100 is the distance, and s is the speed of travel.

References

  1. McAdams, David E.. All Math Words Dictionary, inversely proportional. 2nd Classroom edition 20150108-4799968. pg 102. Life is a Story Problem LLC. January 8, 2015. Buy the book
  2. inversely proportional. merriam-webster.com. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. 2010. Last Accessed 8/7/2018. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inversely%20proportional. Buy the book
  3. Davies, Charles. New Elementary Algebra : Embracing the First Principles of the Science. pp 274-275. www.archive.org. Barnes & Burr, Publishers. 1864. Last Accessed 8/7/2018. http://www.archive.org/stream/newelementaryalg00daviiala#page/274/mode/1up/search/inversely. Buy the book
  4. Underwood,Ralph S.; Nelson,Thomas R.; Selby,Samuel.. Intermediate Algebra. pp 218-219. www.archive.org. The Macmillan Company. 1947. Last Accessed 8/7/2018. http://www.archive.org/stream/intermediatealge033585mbp#page/n219/mode/1up/search/inversely. Buy the book
  5. Rong Yang. A-Plus Notes for Beginning Algebra: Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1. revised edition. pg 269. A-Plus Notes Learning Center. January 1, 2006. Last Accessed 8/7/2018. Buy the book

More Information

  • McAdams, David E.. Proportional. allmathwords.org. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem LLC. 3/12/2009. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/p/proportional.html.

Cite this article as:

McAdams, David E. Inversely Proportional. 4/23/2019. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem LLC. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/i/inverselyproportional.html.

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Revision History

4/23/2019: Updated equations and expressions to new format. (McAdams, David E.)
12/21/2018: Reviewed and corrected IPA pronunication. (McAdams, David E.)
8/6/2018: Removed broken links, updated license, implemented new markup, implemented new Geogebra protocol. (McAdams, David E.)
3/2/2010: Added "References". (McAdams, David E.)
8/13/2008: Added general equation for inverse proportion. Changed equation t(s)=100/s to hot_eqn. Added vocabulary link for 'multiplicative inverse' (McAdams, David E.)
7/7/2008: Corrected link errors. Corrected spelling (McAdams, David E.)
7/12/2007: Initial version. (McAdams, David E.)

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