Mathwarehouse Logo

Definition of Ratio

A ratio is just a fraction. Ratios emphasize the relative sizes of 2 or more quantities


In example 1, the ratio of red bars to purple bars is $$ 2:3 $$. Ratio notation uses a colon , $$ \red : $$, between the values.

Example 1
Picture of a 2 to 3 ratio
The ratio above could also be expressed as the fraction $$ \frac 2 3 $$ .
Example 2 is also a $$2 :3 $$ ratio. For every 2 red bars, there are 3 purple ones.
Example 2
example 2 of the ratio