When one goes up, the other goes down.
When one goes down, the other goes up. They always move in opposite directions.
Inversely Related

The Math

Drag the slider to see how increasing one variable decreases the other.

Effect (y) Cause (x)
Speed (x) 10
Formula y = 100 / x
Result (y) 10.0

In the Wild

Where do we see inverse relationships in real life?

Speed & Travel Time

If you have a fixed distance to drive, going faster means it takes less time to get there.

↑ Speed = ↓ Time

Volume & Pressure

Squeeze a balloon to make it smaller (less volume), and the air pressure inside increases.

↓ Volume = ↑ Pressure

Distance & Gravity

The further you travel away from a planet, the weaker its gravitational pull becomes.

↑ Distance = ↓ Gravity

Summary

The core facts about inverse relationships.

y ∝ 1/x
"y is proportional to the inverse of x"

The Rule: When one variable increases, the other decreases.

The Shape: On a graph, it forms a curve that swoops down towards the axes (a hyperbola).

The Balance: They often multiply to make a constant (e.g., if you double speed, time halves. 2 × 0.5 = 1).