Ratio Calculator

Simplify ratios and find equivalent ratios

Simplified Ratio 0 : 0

Decimal Ratio 0

What Is a Ratio?

A ratio is a mathematical statement that compares two or more numbers. It shows the relative sizes of two or more values. Ratios can be expressed in different ways: with a colon (A : B), as a fraction (A/B), or in words ("A to B").

For example, if a bag contains 4 red marbles and 6 blue marbles, the ratio of red to blue marbles is 4:6, which can be simplified to 2:3.

How to Use a Ratio Calculator?

This calculator helps you perform two main tasks:

Simplify a Ratio: Enter the values to reduce the ratio to its smallest whole numbers (lowest terms).
Find Equivalent Ratios: See the decimal value of the ratio for comparison purposes.

To simplify a ratio, the calculator finds the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) of the numbers and divides each number by it.

Common Uses of Ratios

Ratios are used in many real-world applications, including:

Cooking: Recipe ingredients are often expressed in ratios (e.g., a ratio of 2:1 for water to rice).
Scale Drawings: Maps and blueprints use ratios to represent real-world distances on paper (e.g., a scale of 1:100).
Finance: Financial analysts use ratios (like the Price-to-Earnings ratio) to evaluate company performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between a Ratio and a Proportion?

A ratio compares two numbers. A proportion is an equation that states that two ratios are equal (e.g., 2:3 = 4:6).

Can a ratio have more than two numbers?

Yes, ratios can compare three or more values (e.g., a ratio of 1:2:3 for mixing concrete using cement, sand, and gravel).

How do I simplify a ratio with decimals?

To simplify a ratio with decimals, first multiply both numbers by a power of 10 to make them whole numbers, and then find the GCD to simplify as usual.