ratio

Pronunciation: /ˈreɪʃiəʊ/

noun

Difficulty: common

Definition of ratio

ratio (noun): The quantitative relationship between two numbers or amounts, typically expressed as a fraction, proportion, or comparison of magnitudes.

Example: The ratio of students to teachers in the new school is designed to optimize individualized attention and learning outcomes.

Best for: common-difficulty vocabulary; learners who already know "proportion" or "rate"; GRE Verbal (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence); SAT Reading & Writing (Words in Context).

Origin of ratio

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: ratio

Original meaning: reason, calculation, reckoning

How it evolved: Initially used to describe logical reasoning, the term transitioned into mathematical contexts to denote comparisons or relationships.

Derived from Latin, where it originally meant 'reason' or 'reckoning,' the word evolved to signify quantitative comparisons.

First known use: 15th century

How to Remember ratio

Think of 'ratio' as a 'rational' way to compare two things mathematically. Both words even share the same root!

Synonyms for ratio

Antonyms of ratio

ratio in a Sentence

  1. The ratio of students to teachers in the new school is designed to optimize individualized attention and learning outcomes.
  2. In financial analysis, the debt-to-equity ratio is a critical metric that reflects a company's leverage and risk profile.
  3. The architect ensured that the ratio of the building's height to its base adhered to principles of classical symmetry.

ratio in Literature & Culture

Ratios are often highlighted in discussions of aesthetics, such as the 'Golden Ratio,' which fascinated figures like Leonardo da Vinci and continues to influence modern design and art.

Usage Notes

Ratio is commonly used in mathematical and analytical contexts. It is important not to confuse it with 'rate,' which often implies a time-based comparison.

Why ratio Matters for GRE & SAT

Ratio is frequently tested in GRE quantitative sections, particularly in problems involving proportions, percentages, or data interpretation.

Word Family

rational (adjective)
Based on reason or logic.
irrational (adjective)
Not logical or reasonable.
ratiocination (noun)
Logical reasoning or exact thinking.

Did You Know?

  • The Golden Ratio, approximately 1.618, is a famous mathematical concept often seen in art, architecture, and nature.
  • In ancient Rome, 'ratio' was as much about logical reasoning as it was about numerical calculations.
  • The concept of ratios is foundational to various disciplines, from finance (e.g., profit margins) to physics (e.g., velocity).
  • proportion
  • Recalcitrant — Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude; stubbornly resistant to authority.
  • radical — far-reaching; major
  • ramification — A consequence of an action or event, especially a complex one
  • rampant — Spreading unchecked; flourishing in an unwelcome way

More Vocabulary Words Starting with R

  • Recalcitrant — Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude; stubbornly resistant to authority.
  • radical — far-reaching; major
  • radical — Relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something
  • radical — far-reaching; major
  • radical — Relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something
  • ramification — A consequence of an action or event, especially a complex one
  • ramification — a consequence or resulting action of a previous event
  • ramification — a consequence or resulting action of a previous event
  • rampant — Spreading unchecked; flourishing in an unwelcome way
  • rampant — Spreading unchecked; flourishing in an unwelcome way