inverse

[ adjective noun in-vurs, in-vurs; verb in-vurs ]

adjective

1. reversed in position, order, direction, or tendency.
2. Mathematics.
   1. (of a proportion) containing terms of which an increase in one results in a decrease in another. A term is said to be in inverse proportion to another term if it increases (or decreases) as the other decreases (or increases).
   2. of or relating to an inverse function. Compare direct ( def 16 ).
3. inverted; turned upside down.

noun

1. an inverted state or condition.
2. something that is inverse; the direct opposite.
3. Mathematics.
   1. an element of an algebraic system, as a group, corresponding to a given element such that its product or sum with the given element is the identity element.
   2. inverse function.
   3. a point related to a given point so that it is situated on the same radius, extended if necessary, of a given circle or sphere and so that the product of the distances of the two points from the center equals the square of the radius of the circle or sphere.
   4. the set of such inverses of the points of a given set, as the points on a curve.

verb (used with object)

, in·versed, in·vers·ing.

1. to invert.

inverse

/ ˈɪnvɜːs; ɪnˈvɜːs /

adjective

1. opposite or contrary in effect, sequence, direction, etc
2. maths
   1. (of a relationship) containing two variables such that an increase in one results in a decrease in the other

      the volume of a gas is in inverse ratio to its pressure

   2. (of an element) operating on a specified member of a set to produce the identity of the set: the additive inverse element of x is –x, the multiplicative inverse element of x is 1/x
3. usually prenominal upside-down; inverted

   in an inverse position

noun

1. maths
   1. another name for reciprocal
   2. an inverse element
2. logic a categorial proposition derived from another by changing both the proposition and its subject from affirmative to negative, or vice versa, as all immortals are angels from no mortals are angels

inverse

Adjective

1. Relating to a mathematical operation whose nature or effect is the opposite of another operation. For example, addition and subtraction are inverse operations, as are multiplication and division.

Noun

1. An inverse operation. Subtraction is the inverse of addition.
2. Either of a pair of elements in a set whose result under the mathematical operation of the set is the identity element. For example, the inverse of 5 under multiplication is 1 5 , since 5 × 1 5 = 1, the identity element under multiplication. The inverse of 5 under addition is −5, since 5 + −5 = 0.

Derived Forms

• inˈversely, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inverse¹

1605–15; < Latin inversus, past participle of invertere to turn upside down or inside out, reverse. See in- ², verse

Word History and Origins

Origin of inverse¹

C17: from Latin inversus, from invertere to invert

Example Sentences

As shown in the past by the Yakimovich team, using the "inverse problem solving" toolbox works well in microscopy.

From Science Daily

It got him thinking about the inverse: Could he quantify how much carbon increased with that extra child?

From Salon

It's the inverse of the pro-choice slogan "my body, my choice," popularized in protest of Republican efforts to ban abortion and regulate women's healthcare choices.

From Salon

That's the inverse of the way the candidates polled in the state in September, where Trump held a four-point lead over Harris.

From Salon

They start with the most basic details — “Where am I?” for example — and evolve into increasingly specific queries until they form an inverse triangle brimming with insight he’s deciphered on his own.

From Los Angeles Times