catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  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]

  Ratio \Ra"ti*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 is made the
        dividend; as, a:b = b/a.
  
     Note: Some writers consider ratio as the quotient itself,
           making ratio equivalent to a number. 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.
  
     2. Hence, fixed relation of number, quantity, or degree;
        rate; proportion; as, the ratio of representation in
        Congress.
  
     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.