Inverse

Proportion
At the end of this presentation, we may be able
to:
• Explain the term Inverse Proportion;
• Understand the idea of Inverse Proportion; and
• Solve simple inverse proportion problems.
What is Inverse Proportion?
• Two quantities are inversely proportional
when one is multiplied or divided by any
number, the other is divided or multiplied
by the same number.

• Inverse proportion occurs when one value

increases and the other decreases.
Speed and time are inversely proportional because as the
speed increases, the time it takes to reach the destination
decreases.

Examples
3 workers build a wall in 12 hours. How long would it have
taken for 6 equally productive workers?

In this example, the number of workers and the time are

inversely proportional, because when the quantity of people
decreases, the total time increases and when the quantity of
people increases, the total time decreases.
Follow these steps to complete an inverse proportionality
word problem:
• Write down the ratio using one type of term (number of workers
or time).
• Write down the ratio with the second type of term (number of
workers or time).

• Invert one of the ratios (flip it upside down).

• Cross-multiply, divide and solve (the same method used for direct
proportions).
It takes 14 hours for a faucet with a flow of 18 liters per
minute to fill a reservoir with water. How long will it take if its
flow is reduced to 7 liters per minute?

In this example, the flow and time are inversely proportional,

because when the flow decreases, the total time increases
and when the flow increases, the total time decreases.
4 people can paint a fence in 3 hours. How long will it take 6 people to
paint it? (Assume everyone works at the same rate)
We can use: t = k/n
Where:
t = number of hours
k = constant of proportionality
n = number of people
"4 people can paint a fence in 3 hours" means that t = 3 when n = 4
3 = k/4
3x4=k
12 = k
k = 12

So now we know:
t = 12/n
And when n = 6:
t = 12/6 = 2 hours
So 6 people will take 2 hours to paint the fence.
 ACTIVTY!
Complete the table below.
Cows 2 4 8 16 32 64
Days 64 32 16 8 4 2

A farmer has enough cattle feed to feed 64 cows for

2 days.

How long would the same food last 32 cows? 4 days