Ratio
A mathematical relationship comparing the quantities of two different things.
Definition
A Ratio is a mathematical relationship comparing the quantities of two different things. It indicates how many times the first number contains the second.
Why It Matters
Ratios are used constantly in daily life. Baking a cake requires a specific ratio of flour to sugar. Mixing concrete requires a specific ratio of cement to water. If you understand the ratio, you can scale a recipe or a mixture up or down infinitely without ruining the result.
Ratios can be written in three different ways:
- With a colon: 3:1
- With the word "to": 3 to 1
- As a fraction: 3/1
Practical Example
Scaling a Recipe with Ratios
A pancake recipe calls for 2 cups of flour and 1 cup of milk. The ratio of flour to milk is 2:1.
If you want to feed a large crowd and you need to use 6 cups of flour, how much milk do you need? Because the ratio must stay 2:1, you simply maintain the proportion. For 6 cups of flour, you need 3 cups of milk.
Ratios are heavily used in finance as well, such as the Debt-to-Income Ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write a ratio?
A ratio can be written with a colon (3:1), with the word "to" (3 to 1), or as a fraction (3/1).
Explore Topics
More Content You Might Like
Average (Mean)
A single number taken as representative of a list of numbers, calculated by dividing the sum of the values by the number of values.
Bust Measurement
The circumference around the fullest part of the chest, used primarily in women's apparel sizing.
Conversion
The process of changing a value or expression from one form, unit, or system to another without changing its size or amount.
Drop Length (Suiting)
The difference in inches between a suit jacket's chest size and the waist size of its matching pants.
Duration
The measurable length of time that something continues or exists between a start and end point.
Inseam
The measurement of the inner leg from the crotch down to the ankle or hem.