Ratio

views updated Jun 11 2018

Ratio

The ratio of a to b is a way to convey the idea of relative magnitude of two amounts. Thus if the number a is always twice the number b, we can say that the ratio of a to b is 2 to 1. This ratio is sometimes written 2:1. Today, however, it is more common to write a ratio as a fraction, in this case 2/1.

At one time, ratios were in common use in solving problems and the terms antecedent for the numerator a and consequent for the denominator b were used. Today most problems concerning ratios are solved by treating ratios as fractions.

ratio

views updated May 23 2018

ra·tio / ˈrāshō; ˈrāshēˌō/ • n. (pl. -tios) the quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other: the ratio of men's jobs to women's is 8 to 1. ∎  the relative value of silver and gold in a bimetallic system of currency.

ratio

views updated May 08 2018

ratio In remote sensing, the digital number value of one band of a multispectral image divided by the digital number value of another band. The ratio allows analysis of relative differences between channels.

Ratio

views updated May 14 2018

Ratio

The ratio of a to b is a way to convey the idea of relative magnitude of two amounts. Thus if the number a is always twice the number b, we can say that the ratio of a to b is "2 to 1." This ratio is sometimes written 2:1. Today, however, it is more common to write a ratio as a fraction, in this case 2/1.

At one time, ratios were in common use in solving problems and the terms "antecedent " for the numerator a and "consequent " for the denominator b were used. Today most problems concerning ratios are solved by treating ratios as fractions.

ratio

views updated May 23 2018

ratio Number relating two numbers or two quantities of the same kind, such as two prices or two lengths, that indicates their relative magnitude. Ratios, as of the numbers 3 and 4, can be written as a fraction 3/4, or with a colon (3:4).

ratio

views updated Jun 11 2018

ratio relation of one quantity to another XVII; †ration XVIII. — L. ratiō; see REASON.