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Ratio: meaning, definitions and examples

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ratio

 

[ˈreɪʃɪəʊ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

mathematics

The quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other.

Synonyms

percentage, proportion, relation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ratio

This word is used when comparing two quantities and expressing the relative size of one to the other. It is especially common in mathematics and scientific contexts.

  • The ratio of boys to girls in the class is 3:2.
  • Mix the ingredients in a 1:4 ratio.
proportion

Use this term when discussing the relationship between parts of a whole or when comparing elements of a set. It often indicates the relative size or extent of each part.

  • The proportion of adults to children in the study is 2:1.
  • A significant proportion of the budget is allocated to education.
relation

This word is broader and is used to describe the way in which two or more things are connected. It is less specific than 'ratio' and 'proportion' and can apply to both quantitative and qualitative relationships.

  • There is a strong relation between diet and health.
  • The relation between the two variables is not immediately clear.
percentage

This term is appropriate for expressing a part or share of a whole in hundredths. It is widely used in statistics, finance, and everyday comparisons.

  • She scored 90% on her exam.
  • A large percentage of the population supports the new law.

Examples of usage

  • The ratio of boys to girls in the class is 2:1.
  • The ideal ratio of flour to water in the recipe is 3:1.
  • Investors are concerned about the debt-to-income ratio.
Context #2 | Noun

finance

The relationship between two values indicating the relative size of one to the other.

Synonyms

comparison, correlation, relationship.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ratio

Used when expressing the quantitative relationship between two numbers, especially in mathematics, science, and finance.

  • The ratio of men to women in the company is 1:3.
  • You need to maintain a 2:1 water to rice ratio for this recipe.
relationship

Appropriate when describing the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, often used in both personal and professional contexts.

  • She has a good relationship with her colleagues.
  • The relationship between supply and demand affects market prices.
comparison

Appropriate when examining the similarities and differences between two or more items.

  • A comparison between the two products shows that one is clearly superior.
  • The teacher made a comparison between ancient Rome and modern cities.
correlation

Used in statistics and research to describe a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things, showing how one may affect or relate to the other.

  • There is a significant correlation between exercise and healthy living.
  • The study showed a strong correlation between smoking and lung cancer.

Examples of usage

  • The price-earnings ratio is a common metric in evaluating stocks.
  • The debt-to-equity ratio is used to assess a company's financial health.
Context #3 | Noun

biology

The proportion of one part to another within an organism.

Synonyms

balance, proportion, relation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ratio

When you want to describe the quantitative relationship between two quantities, often used in mathematics, statistics, and technical contexts.

  • The ratio of students to teachers in the school is 20:1.
  • The gas-to-oil ratio is critical for engine performance.
proportion

When you highlight the relative size or amount of one part compared to the whole, often used in design, art, and statistical contexts.

  • The architect focused on the proportion of the windows to the walls.
  • A high proportion of the population is vaccinated.
balance

When you refer to a state of equilibrium or equal distribution, often used in everyday situations, finance, and well-being.

  • She is trying to find a balance between work and life.
  • Check your bank balance before making a purchase.
relation

When describing the connection or association between concepts, people, or things, often used in social sciences and everyday interactions.

  • Her relation to the topic made the discussion more interesting.
  • The relation between exercise and health is well-documented.

Examples of usage

  • The predator-prey ratio affects the ecosystem.
  • The ratio of red blood cells to white blood cells is important for health.

Interesting Facts

Mathematics

  • The ratio is often expressed in terms of fractions, like 1:2, which means one part of something for every two parts of another.
  • Ratios are crucial for scaling recipes, allowing chefs to keep flavors balanced when changing serving sizes.
  • In geometry, the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter is constant and known as Pi (approximately 3.14).

Economics

  • Financial ratios can help investors assess a company's profitability, liquidity, and overall financial health.
  • Debt-to-equity ratio is used to measure a company's financial leverage, indicating how much debt is used to finance assets.
  • Price-to-earnings ratio is a common way to evaluate a company's stock price in relation to its earnings, helping investors make informed decisions.

Art

  • In art, ratios play a significant role in composition, such as the Golden Ratio, which is thought to result in aesthetically pleasing images.
  • Architects often use ratios when designing buildings to ensure harmony and balance in their structures.
  • The rule of thirds is a popular photographic technique that divides an image into nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines to guide composition.

Psychology

  • Ratios can influence perception; for instance, people may prefer objects in a 2:3 proportion for visual appeal.
  • The ratio of positive to negative experiences can impact mental well-being, with a higher ratio often linked to greater happiness.
  • Interpersonal relationships can sometimes be gauged by the ratio of supportive to critical interactions.

Science

  • In biology, the predator-prey ratio can impact ecosystem stability and survival rates of species.
  • Chemical reactions often depend on specific mole ratios of reactants, as they dictate how substances interact.
  • Ratios are key in genetics, for example, the phenotypic ratio in offspring can predict traits based on dominant and recessive alleles.

Translations

Translations of the word "ratio" in other languages:

🇵🇹 razão

🇮🇳 अनुपात

🇩🇪 Verhältnis

🇮🇩 rasio

🇺🇦 співвідношення

🇵🇱 stosunek

🇯🇵 比率 (ひりつ)

🇫🇷 ratio

🇪🇸 relación

🇹🇷 oran

🇰🇷 비율 (biyul)

🇸🇦 نسبة

🇨🇿 poměr

🇸🇰 pomer

🇨🇳 比例 (bǐlì)

🇸🇮 razmerje

🇮🇸 hlutfall

🇰🇿 қатынас

🇬🇪 თანაფარდობა

🇦🇿 nisbət

🇲🇽 relación

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,241, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.