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inverse

 - 5 dictionary results

in⋅verse

  [adj., n. in-vurs, in-vurs; v. in-vurs] adjective, noun, verb, -versed, -vers⋅ing.
Use inverse in a Sentence
–adjective
1. reversed in position, order, direction, or tendency.
2. Mathematics.
a. (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).
b. of or pertaining to an inverse function. Compare direct (def. 16).
3. inverted; turned upside down.
–noun
4. an inverted state or condition.
5. something that is inverse; the direct opposite.
6. Mathematics.
a. 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.
b. inverse function.
c. 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.
d. the set of such inverses of the points of a given set, as the points on a curve.
–verb (used with object)
7. to invert.
Origin:
1605–15; < L inversus, ptp. of invertere to turn upside down or inside out, reverse. See in- 2 , verse
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To inverse
in·verse   (ĭn-vûrs', ĭn'vûrs')   
adj.  

  1. Reversed in order, nature, or effect.

  2. Mathematics Of or relating to an inverse or an inverse function.

  3. Archaic Turned upside down; inverted.

n.   (ĭn'vûrs', ĭn-vûrs')

  1. Something that is opposite, as in sequence or character; the reverse.

  2. Mathematics One of a pair of elements in a set whose result under the operation of the set is the identity element, especially:

    1. The reciprocal of a designated quantity. Also called multiplicative inverse.

    2. The negative of a designated quantity. Also called additive inverse.


[Middle English, from Latin inversus, past participle of invertere, to invert; see invert.]
in·verse'ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

inverse 
1440, from L. inversus, pp. of invertere (see invert).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Science Dictionary
inverse  
Adjective   (ĭn-vûrs')
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   (ĭn'vûrs')

  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.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Computing Dictionary

inverse mathematics
Given a function, f : D -> C, a function g : C -> D is called a left inverse for f if for all d in D, g (f d) = d and a right inverse if, for all c in C, f (g c) = c and an inverse if both conditions hold. Only an injection has a left inverse, only a surjection has a right inverse and only a bijection has inverses. The inverse of f is often written as f with a -1 superscript.
(1996-03-12)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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