ratio

[rey-shoh, -shee-oh] /ˈreɪ ʃoʊ, -ʃiˌoʊ/
noun, plural ratios.
1.
the relation between two similar magnitudes with respect to the number of times the first contains the second:
the ratio of 5 to 2, written 5:2 or 5/2.
2.
proportional relation; rate:
the ratio between acceptances and rejections.
3.
Finance. the relative value of gold and silver in a bimetallic currency system.
Origin
1630-40; < Latin ratiō a reckoning, account, calculation, derivative (see -tion) of the base of rērī to judge, think
Examples from the web for ratios
  • They measure that amount with the probe, which detects the ratios of minerals called olivine, pyroxene and feldspar.
  • Complexity had extended itself on immense horizons, and arithmetical ratios were useless for any attempt at accuracy.
  • Sooner or later, companies mature, and they end up at mundane price-earnings ratios.
  • He expounds enthusiastically upon footcandles and price-point-to-aperture ratios.
  • There is more flexibility in calculating household income and payment ratios.
  • Someone at this moment is tallying up commas or meticulously computing adjective-to-adverb ratios.
  • It lives and dies on its ability to combine sincerity and falsity in approximately appropriate ratios.
  • There are various recipes with varied salt to spuds to water ratios out there but they all seem to be roughly at that level.
  • Greenspan is up now, pushing for higher capital ratios.
  • The ratios of these element forms change with climate and local geology.
British Dictionary definitions for ratios

ratio

/ˈreɪʃɪˌəʊ/
noun (pl) -tios
1.
a measure of the relative size of two classes expressible as a proportion: the ratio of boys to girls is 2 to 1
2.
(maths) a quotient of two numbers or quantities See also proportion (sense 6)
Word Origin
C17: from Latin: a reckoning, from rērī to think; see reason
Word Origin and History for ratios

ratio

n.

1630s, "reason, rationale," from Latin ratio "reckoning, numbering, calculation; business affair, procedure," also "reason, reasoning, judgment, understanding," from rat-, past participle stem of reri "to reckon, calculate," also "think" (see reason (n.)). Mathematical sense "relationship between two numbers" is attested from 1650s.

ratios in Medicine

ratio ra·tio (rā'shō, rā'shē-ō')
n. pl. ra·tios

  1. Relation in degree or number between two similar things.

  2. The relation between two quantities expressed as the quotient of one divided by the other.

ratios in Science
ratio
  (rā'shō, rā'shē-ō')   
A relationship between two quantities, normally expressed as the quotient of one divided by the other. For example, if a box contains six red marbles and four blue marbles, the ratio of red marbles to blue marbles is 6 to 4, also written 6:4. A ratio can also be expressed as a decimal or percentage.
ratios in Culture
ratio [(ray-shee-oh, ray-shoh)]

An expression of the relative size of two numbers by showing one divided by the other.