ratio
A ratio is a quantitative relationship between two amounts showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other. Imagine a recipe: if you need two cups of flour for every one cup of sugar, the relationship between those ingredients is a ratio of 2:1. It is a way of comparing parts to parts or parts to a whole. While often used in mathematical or financial contexts, the word is also common in everyday speech when discussing proportions, such as the ratio of students to teachers in a classroom. It is slightly formal; in casual conversation, people might simply use the word "proportion" or "balance" instead.
In conversation
Discussing classroom size
The student-to-teacher ratio is quite high this year.
The student-to-teacher ratio is quite high this year.
That is a bit concerning for individual attention.
That is a bit concerning for individual attention.
Used to describe a numerical comparison of two groups.
Mixing paint
What is the ratio of blue to white for this sky color?
What is the ratio of blue to white for this sky color?
It is a one-to-three ratio.
It is a one-to-three ratio.
Used here to determine the exact mixture of components.
Examples
The ratio of men to women in the office is equal.
The ratio of men to women in the office is equal.
You must maintain a strict ratio of water to cement for the foundation.
You must maintain a strict ratio of water to cement for the foundation.
The company's debt-to-equity ratio indicates its long-term financial stability.
The company's debt-to-equity ratio indicates its long-term financial stability.
