Difference Between Ascending and Descending

The words ascending and descending are used to describe the order of numbers or measurements as they increase or decrease in size.  The ordering is relative to the numbers or measurements within the group presented for classification.  Ascending refers to an increase in size or amount, while descending is a decrease in size or value of the set of measurements.  These two terms are opposite to one another, they are antonyms.  They usually refer to the same concept, but highlight the opposite action or end result.  Climbing is a good comparative activity because climbers may ascend or descend a mountain slope.  Numerically, any group of items can be set in order as an ascending or descending list.  The numbers or mathematical series is compared by the value or size of the number.  The terms ascending and descending are used in anatomy, climbing jargon, alphabetically, musical scales and aviation technology.

What is  Ascending?

Ascending refers to moving upwards, climbing up or increasing.  The root word of ascending is ascend and  ascending is used as a verb to describe the act of moving up or climbing upwards.  Ascending  a stairway or a mountain to reach the top is a good example.  Ascending becomes an adjective to describe the order of numbers.  Ascending order shows the increase in the value of numbers, metric measures and other mathematical concepts.  Knowing how to arrange items in ascending order is a skill taught to children in school.  The concept of ascending applies to the motion of an aircraft as it ascends into the sky, after take off.  Ascending may be used figuratively to describe the climbing of social ladders or the rise of a monarch, as he or she, ascends the throne to rule the country.  Ascending always refers to an upward motion or concept.  Synonyms like arise, aspire, climb and mount help to understand the meaning of the word ascending.

How is ascending used?

• Grammatically: Ascending is used as a verb, the action of climbing up.  It is used as an adjective describing the order of objects as they increase in value.  Ascend is the antonym of descend.
• Mathematically: Ascending order refers to the arrangement of numbers in order of their numerical value.  Setting fractions in their ascending order requires the evaluation of the fractions denominator prior to arranging the fractions in ascending order.  When all the fractions can be compared using a common denominator then the ascending order is accurately compiled through the value of the numerator.
• Medically: An ascending extrasensory pathway, medically speaking, refers to nerve impulses moving in an ascending direction.  Other pathways in anatomy are created for circulation through an ascending aorta.  
• Musically:  The scales of a piano are learned in ascending order as the pitch of the keys become higher and rise further up the keyboard.  Singers use ascending and descending scales to exercise their voices.
• Alphabetically: Using the letters of the alphabet in ascending order helps to arrange the order of names or words according to their position in the alphabet from A to Z.  Alphabetical order is seen as a fair means to set the order of applicants or grouping people to arrange an orderly queuing system.  It is a standardized logical means of getting order into a group of people and accepted as a just method of selection.
• Aviation technology: The pilot takes the aeroplane from ground level and ascends into the air at the take off point.  

What is  Descending?

Descending is the complete opposite action from ascending.  It is a verb with the root word of descend.  It can be used as an adjective to describe the descending order of numbers.  Musically, a descending order of notes or scale, would take on a deeper lower pitch as the order of keys moves down the musical instrument.  Descending is used in medical terms as well as in aviation and all for the opposite actions compared to ascending.  Descending has a downward more depressing emotion of feeling ‘down’ or negatively feeling at a loss.  Climbers descend from the mountain tops and planes descend before they land.  Descending is completely the opposite of ascend in every aspect of its word usage. 

How is descending used?

• Grammatically: A verb, an adjective and the antonym of ascend
• Mathematical: The ordering of numbers as they decrease in value.
• Medically: Nerves, the colon and other downward pathways of the body are referred to as descending passages.
• Musically:  Musical cords played down the scale towards the lower end of the keyboard.
• Aviation technology:  The descent of the aeroplane as it is due to land.  It has been said that the second most exciting event in a man’s life is to fly, but the most exciting is to land! 

Differences in literary use between Ascending and Descending 

1. Opposites: 

In summing up the differences between the two words it is very clear that they are opposite in every situation.  Wherever the word ascending is used, if it should be replaced by descending, the opposite order of events will be expected.  Ascending a mountain means to climb up and descending brings the climber down.  Ascending would imply a lifting up of emotion and spirits while descending implies a characteristic mood change, a feeling of depression and sadness. 

2. Philosophy: 

Plato, in his work called Allegory of the Cave, used the terms ascend and descend figuratively to refer to the effect of education or the lack of it.  He wrote, ‘It is the task of the enlightened not only to ascend to learning and see the good, but to be willing to descend again to those prisoners and to share their troubles.’  in this way he compares both words to each other and brings out their opposite characteristics in one statement highlighting an attitude of people with understanding and learning.

3. Dramatically: 

The use of a climax, or ascending turn of events, adds excitement to a literary piece.  The use of an anti-climax, called bathos, is the dramatic use of a sudden drop from grandeur to descend into the common place.  This is an anti climax.  ‘I have neither gold nor silver or bronze – but I give you this chewing gum!’  is an example of bathos and anti-climax.  A complete descending of emotion in the situation.

Summary of Ascending vs Descending:  

• Ascending and descending, complete opposites. are antonyms.
• They explain the ordering of numbers and other mathematical concepts as the quantities are classified according to their increasing value or their decreasing value.
• They assist professionals to explain the increased or decreased element of some aspects of medical terms, climbing actions and musical terminology.
• There are very clear cut differences between the two although they can refer to similar quantities or actions.  They always point out the opposite in every category or genre where the words may be used 
• There is no ‘grey area’ between the use of these words and always a very clear cut meaning to each of them.  One cannot ascend and descend at the same time, it is one or the other.
• Ascending and descending can be used figuratively.  A person can ascend into power or to claim a throne.  Ascending is uplifting, rising up, while descending feels downward and depressing.  One can ascend into heaven, but descend into hell – a very depressing place to be.
• Musically, tunes with ascending chords and notes are invigorating, while the descending notes tend to feel heavy and sad or melancholy.

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