Ratio:

Ratio is the comparison between the quantities. This ratio is always a number. The ratio can only exists if both quantities are of same kind. In any two given quantities the first one is called "antecedent" and the second one is called "consequent".
Thus the ;

Ratio = antecedent / consequent or antecedent : consequent

Suppose we want to write 8 out of 12, we can write 6 / 12(in faction) and 6:12 and is read as "six to twelve".
Because ratio is a fraction so it can be simplified. So 20 : 30 = 20 / 30 = 2 / 3 = 2 : 3.
The ratio can also be taken between more than two quantities.

Examples:
1) If I buy 3 apples, 5 oranges, 2 bananas and 8 sweets.
a) What is the ratio of sweets to bananas? It is 8:2
b) What is the ratio of bananas to sweets? It is 2:8
c) What is the ratio of oranges to apples? It is 5:3

2) If a class is 20 meters long and 15 meters wide. What is the ratio between the length to width?
The ratio of length to width is 20:15.

3) We can even compare ratios. For this we write ratios in fraction form. Is 3:4 is equal to 5:6?
We write them in fraction forms and check weather their cross product is same or not. 3 / 4 = 5 / 6 if 3 ´ 6 = 4 ´ 5. The ratios are not equal .As 24 is not equal to 20.

4) The ratios 6:1 is not equal to 1:6, because 1 / 6 is not equal to 6 / 1 as 1 is not equal to 36.This shows that 1:6 does not mean 6:1.

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