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Ratio & ProportionIntroduction

The Opposite of Direct

Part of Inverse Proportion — GCSE Mathematics

This introduction covers The Opposite of Direct within Inverse Proportion for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Inverse Proportion in Ratio & Proportion for GCSE Mathematics with 15 exam-style questions and 10 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 1 of 5 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 1 of 5

Practice

15 questions

Recall

10 flashcards

The Opposite of Direct

If 4 workers can build a wall in 6 days, how long would 8 workers take? More workers = less time! When one thing increases and the other decreases in proportion, that's INVERSE proportion. The product of the two values always stays the same.
Inverse proportion - hyperbola graph, direct vs inverse comparison, worked example

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Inverse Proportion. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Key Features of Inverse ProportionMethod: Solving Inverse ProblemsWorked Example

Practice Questions for Inverse Proportion

Which of the following correctly reads the mathematical statement y ∝ 1/x?

  • A. y is directly proportional to x
  • B. y is inversely proportional to x
  • C. y equals 1 divided by x
  • D. y is greater than x
1 markfoundation

Explain what it means for y to be inversely proportional to x. Your answer should refer to the equation and the graph.

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What shape is the graph of y = k/x?
A hyperbola — a curved line that never touches either axis. For k > 0, the curve is in the 1st and 3rd quadrants.
What is the formula for inverse proportion?
y = k/x, where k is the constant of proportionality. The product xy is always constant.

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Key Features of Inverse Proportion