In Mathematics and Physics
In mathematics and in physics, proportionality is a mathematical relation between two quantities; it can be expressed as an equality of two ratios:
Functionally, proportionality can be a relationship between variables in a mathematical equation. For example, given the following equation for the force of gravity (according to Newton):
the force of gravity between two masses is directly proportional to the product of the two masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the two masses.
Read more about this topic: Proportional Reasoning
Famous quotes containing the words mathematics and/or physics:
“Mathematics alone make us feel the limits of our intelligence. For we can always suppose in the case of an experiment that it is inexplicable because we don’t happen to have all the data. In mathematics we have all the data ... and yet we don’t understand. We always come back to the contemplation of our human wretchedness. What force is in relation to our will, the impenetrable opacity of mathematics is in relation to our intelligence.”
—Simone Weil (1909–1943)
“Mathematics should be mixed not only with physics but with ethics.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)