- Ratio
- Ratio Ra"ti*o (r[=a]"sh[i^]*[-o] or r[=a]"sh[-o]), n. [L., fr.
reri, ratus, to reckon, believe, think, judge. See {Reason}.]
1. (Math.) The relation which one quantity or magnitude has
to another of the same kind. It is expressed by the
quotient of the division of the first by the second; thus,
the ratio of 3 to 6 is expressed by 3/6 or 1/2; of a to b
by a/b; or (less commonly) the second term is made the
dividend; as, a:b = b/a.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Some writers consider ratio as the quotient itself, making ratio equivalent to a number. [1913 Webster] The term ratio is also sometimes applied to the difference of two quantities as well as to their quotient, in which case the former is called arithmetical ratio, the latter, geometrical ratio. The name ratio is sometimes given to the rule of three in arithmetic. See under {Rule}. [1913 Webster]
2. Hence, fixed relation of number, quantity, or degree; rate; proportion; as, the ratio of representation in Congress. [1913 Webster]
{Compound ratio}, {Duplicate ratio}, {Inverse ratio}, etc. See under {Compound}, {Duplicate}, etc.
{Ratio of a geometrical progression}, the constant quantity by which each term is multiplied to produce the succeeding one. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
