basically what it means is that as the distance from the source of the light increases the intensity decreases (because it covers more area). for example think about a torch shining its light through a small hole. if u bring a papers and place it in front of the hole, the brightness of the light increases (intensity) but the area covered decreases. when u move away the paper, u increase the area it covers, hence when it covers more area the intensity decreases (less bright).
i'll give u a numerical explanation if that didn't help:
Question:
-if the light intensity at a distance (a) from a light source is 45 lux (unit for light intensity)
-then what would be the intensity of light if you:
a)tripled the disdance
b)halved
c)increases it by tenfold?
answer:
a)just chuck 3 in the formula (1/d^2) and u would get (1/9)
this means that the intensity of light is now 1/9 th of what it was before, and 45 *(1/9) =5 lux.
b) same as before chuck those numbers in the formula so (1/(0.5)^2)= 4, there fore the intensity will be four times greater. hence the intensity is: 45*4= 180 lux.
c) same as before, but try this urself.
Good Luck!!!