Chapter 6, Problem 4A

If two quantities are inversely proportional to each other, does that mean as one increases the other increases also?

To determine

To identify: Whether the meaning of inverse relationship between two quantities is such that if one increases then other will also increase or not.

Answer to Problem 4A

No, when one quantity increases, the other decreases.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

Two quantities are inversely related to each other

Any two quantities in inverse relation can be generally represented as,

  $c\propto \frac{1}{b}$

The above relation suggests that, whenever there is an increase in quantity b , there is a corresponding decrease in quantity c .

An example for this relationship is between mass of a quantity and its acceleration, which can be represented as,

  $a\propto \frac{1}{m}$

It is justifiable that a heavier object gets less accelerated compared to a lighter object.