Arithmetic
Ratio value
The first quantity divided by the second, giving how many times larger it is.
The Formula
r = a / b
The first quantity divided by the second, giving how many times larger it is.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| r | Ratio value | none | The single number the ratio is equivalent to. |
| a | First quantity | units | The numerator. |
| b | Second quantity | units | The denominator. |
What Each Symbol Means
rnone
Ratio value
The single number the ratio is equivalent to.
aunits
First quantity
The numerator.
bunits
Second quantity
The denominator.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate a ratio page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate A Ratio, filed under Math. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.