proportionality
appropriate relative balance
the idea that something should be the right size, level, or strength compared with something else
the proportionality of [something] to [something]; proportionality between [things]; questions of proportionality
- Critics questioned the proportionality of a ten-year sentence for a nonviolent offence.
- The debate was less about security than about proportionality: was the ban too broad for the risk?
- The report found little proportionality between the company's penalties and the employees' mistakes.
- The punishment raised questions of proportionality.
- We need proportionality in our response.
constant ratio between quantities
a relationship where quantities change together in a fixed ratio
proportionality between [quantity] and [quantity]; [quantity] is in direct/inverse proportionality to [quantity]
- In this equation, proportionality means that doubling x also doubles y.
- The data suggest a direct proportionality between force and acceleration.
- Students learned how to identify proportionality from a constant ratio.
- If x and y have proportionality, their ratio stays the same.
- The graph shows proportionality between distance and time.
- Base: proportionality
- Plural: proportionalities, proportionality
constant of proportionality
1fixed proportional multiplier
the number that connects two proportional amounts
- In y = 5x, the constant of proportionality is 5.
- To find the constant of proportionality, divide y by x for any pair in the table.
- The units of the constant of proportionality depend on the quantities being compared.
direct proportionality
1same ratio between quantities
a relationship where one amount doubles if the other doubles, triples if the other triples, and so on
- The graph is a straight line through the origin, which shows direct proportionality.
- There is direct proportionality between the cost and the number of identical tickets bought.
- In the formula y = 3x, the direct proportionality constant is 3.
inverse proportionality
1reciprocal ratio between quantities
a relationship where one amount halves if the other doubles, so the product stays the same
- At a constant distance, travel time has an inverse proportionality to speed.
- The experiment demonstrated inverse proportionality between pressure and volume.
- Students often confuse inverse proportionality with any downward-sloping graph.
principle of proportionality
1legal rule of balance
a rule that a response or restriction must not be stronger than necessary
- The judge said the curfew violated the principle of proportionality.
- International humanitarian law requires the principle of proportionality in attacks.
- The policy was revised to comply with the principle of proportionality.
proportionality test
1legal proportionality assessment
a legal check to see whether a restriction is justified and not too severe
- The court applied a proportionality test to the search policy.
- Under the proportionality test, the city had to show that the restriction went no further than necessary.
- The measure failed the proportionality test because less restrictive options were available.
sense of proportionality
1judgment about proper scale
the ability to see how serious something really is and react in a reasonable way
- She has a strong sense of proportionality and avoids turning small errors into crises.
- The reaction to the tweet showed no sense of proportionality.
- A good manager needs a sense of proportionality when dealing with minor mistakes.