Ratio
In mathematics, a ratio is a relationship between two numbers indicating how many times the first number contains the second. For example, if a bowl of fruit contains eight oranges and six lemons, then the ratio of oranges to lemons is eight to six (that is, 8:6, which is equivalent to the ratio 4:3). Similarly, the ratio of lemons to oranges is 6:8 (or 3:4) and the ratio of oranges to the total amount of fruit is 8:14 (or 4:7).
The numbers in a ratio may be quantities of any kind, such as counts of persons or objects, or such as measurements of lengths, weights, time, etc. In most contexts both numbers are restricted to be positive.
A ratio may be specified either by giving both constituting numbers, written as “a to b” or “a:b”, or by giving just the value of their quotient a/b, since the product of the quotient and the second number yields the first, as required by the above definition.
Consequently, a ratio may be considered as an ordered pair of numbers, as a fraction with the first number in the numerator and the second as denominator, or as the value denoted by this fraction. Ratios of counts, given by (non-zero) natural numbers, are rational numbers, and may sometimes be natural numbers. When two quantities are measured with the same unit, as is often the case, their ratio is a dimensionless number. A quotient of two quantities that are measured with different units is called a rate.
Rate (noun)
The worth of something; value. 15th-19th centuries
Rate (noun)
The proportional relationship between one amount, value etc. and another. from the 15th century
“At the height of his powers, he was producing pictures at the rate of four a year.”
Rate (noun)
Speed. from the 17th century
“The car was speeding down here at a hell of a rate.”
Rate (noun)
The relative speed of change or progress. from the 18th century
“The rate of production at the factory is skyrocketing.”
Rate (noun)
The price of (an individual) thing; cost. from the 16th century
“He asked quite a rate to take me to the airport.”
Rate (noun)
A set price or charge for all examples of a given case, commodity, service etc. from the 16th century
“Postal rates here are low.”
Rate (noun)
A wage calculated in relation to a unit of time.
“We pay an hourly rate of between $10 – $15 per hour depending on qualifications and experience.”
Rate (noun)
Any of various taxes, especially those levied by a local authority. from the 17th century
“I hardly have enough left every month to pay the rates.”
Rate (noun)
A class into which ships were assigned based on condition, size etc.; by extension, rank.
“This textbook is first-rate.”
Rate (noun)
Established portion or measure; fixed allowance; ration.
Rate (noun)
Order; arrangement.
Rate (noun)
Ratification; approval.
Rate (noun)
The gain or loss of a timepiece in a unit of time.
“daily rate; hourly rate; etc.”
Rate (verb)
To assign or be assigned a particular rank or level.
“She is rated fourth in the country.”
Rate (verb)
To evaluate or estimate the value of.
“They rate his talents highly.”
Rate (verb)
To consider or regard.
“He rated this book brilliant.”
Rate (verb)
To deserve; to be worth.
“The view here hardly rates a mention in the travel guide.”
Rate (verb)
To determine the limits of safe functioning for a machine or electrical device.
“The transformer is rated at 10 watts.”
Rate (verb)
To evaluate a property’s value for the purposes of local taxation.
Rate (verb)
To like; to think highly of.
“The customers don’t rate the new burgers.”
Rate (verb)
To have position (in a certain class).
“She rates among the most excellent chefs in the world.”
“He rates as the best cyclist in the country.”
Rate (verb)
To have value or standing.
“This last performance of hers didn’t rate very high with the judges.”
Rate (verb)
To ratify.
Rate (verb)
To ascertain the exact rate of the gain or loss of (a chronometer) as compared with true time.
Rate (verb)
To berate, scold.
Ratio (noun)
A number representing a comparison between two named things.
Ratio (noun)
The relative magnitudes of two quantities (usually expressed as a quotient).
Ratio (noun)
Short for ratio decidendi.
Ratio (noun)
the quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other
“the ratio of men’s jobs to women’s is 8 to 1”