Difference between..?

Question

What is the difference between variables being directly proportional or inversely proportional?

Answer 1

When they are directly proportional you will see an increase in both the independent variable and the dependent variable. It is a positive trend line on a graph which increases bottom left to upper right.

In other words, as one thing gets bigger - the other gets bigger, too.

An inversely proportional relationship is one where the independent variable increases and the dependent variable decreases. In other words, as one gets bigger - the other gets smaller. This is a negative trend line on a graph.