Inverse ratio

Inverse In*verse", a. [L. inversus, p. p. of invertere: cf. F. inverse. See {Invert}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Opposite in order, relation, or effect; reversed; inverted; reciprocal; -- opposed to {direct}. [1913 Webster]

2. (Bot.) Inverted; having a position or mode of attachment the reverse of that which is usual. [1913 Webster]

3. (Math.) Opposite in nature and effect; -- said with reference to any two operations, which, when both are performed in succession upon any quantity, reproduce that quantity; as, multiplication is the inverse operation to division. The symbol of an inverse operation is the symbol of the direct operation with -1 as an index. Thus sin-1 x means the arc or angle whose sine is x. [1913 Webster]

{Inverse figures} (Geom.), two figures, such that each point of either figure is inverse to a corresponding point in the order figure.

{Inverse points} (Geom.), two points lying on a line drawn from the center of a fixed circle or sphere, and so related that the product of their distances from the center of the circle or sphere is equal to the square of the radius.

{Inverse ratio}, or {Reciprocal ratio} (Math.), the ratio of the reciprocals of two quantities.

{Inverse proportion}, or {Reciprocal proportion}, an equality between a direct ratio and a reciprocal ratio; thus, 4 : 2 : : 1/3 : 1/6, or 4 : 2 : : 3 : 6, inversely. [1913 Webster]