Direct and Inverse Proportion: Explanation, Examples and Questions

Proportion helps us explore how quantities relate to one another. Whether it's comparing speed and time or workers and tasks, the concept of proportion governs how changes in one quantity affect another.

In direct proportion, as one quantity increases, the other increases by the same factor. For instance, doubling the number of items doubles the cost if the price per item stays the same.

In inverse proportion, the relationship flips—when one value increases, the other decreases. For example, adding more workers to a task reduces the time needed to finish it.

This lesson will guide you through the rules of direct and inverse proportion, showing how to identify and work with these relationships in practical situations.

The lesson on direct and inverse proportion is not quite ready but if you already know what you're doing we have practice questions linked below.