Inverse proportion, also known as inverse variation, occurs when one quantity increases while the other decreases in such a way that their product remains constant. Here are a few real-life examples:
- Speed and Travel Time: Consider a scenario where you are driving a fixed distance. The time it takes to travel that distance is inversely proportional to your speed. If you drive faster, the time taken decreases; if you drive slower, the time taken increases.
- Pressure and Volume of Gas: According to Boyle’s Law in physics, at constant temperature, the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume. If the volume of a gas decreases, its pressure increases, provided the temperature remains constant.
- Work Rate and Time Taken: If a group of workers is assigned a task, the number of workers is inversely proportional to the time taken to complete the task. More workers can finish the job in less time, while fewer workers will take longer to complete the same task.
- Intensity of Light and Distance: The intensity of light experienced decreases as the distance from the light source increases. This relationship can be seen when walking away from a lamp: as you move farther away, the light seems dimmer.
These examples illustrate how inverse proportions play a role in everyday situations, helping us understand the relationship between two changing quantities.