I don't see the issue at all, consider whatever as a fraction, or just add a denominator of 1: "9 times larger" => multiply the numerator of the fraction with

I don't see the issue at all, consider whatever as a fraction, or just add a denominator of 1: "9 times larger" => multiply the numerator of the fraction with 9 "9 times smaller" => multiply the denominator of the fraction with 9 Consider a bag of identical resistors with resistance R Add 9 of them in series: the resistance is 9 times larger. Add 9 of them in parallel: the resistance is 9 times smaller. Its the series vs parallel dictionary wars all over again... Check my other comment.