Which statement best defines a ratio?

Which statement best defines a ratio?

• A. A division of two quantities
• B. A comparison of two quantities using subtraction
• C. A comparison of two quantities using division
• D. The product of two quantities

Answer: (C)

A ratio expresses a comparison between two quantities using division. It communicates how one amount relates to another, often written as a fraction or with a colon, and it stays the same when both quantities are scaled by the same factor. For example, the ratio of 8 to 4 is 8/4 or 8:4, which simplifies to 2:1 and shows there are twice as many of the first quantity as the second. This is different from subtraction, which yields a difference between the quantities, or multiplication, which yields a product. A ratio captures the proportional relationship, not just a single division result.

A ratio expresses a comparison between two quantities using division. It communicates how one amount relates to another, often written as a fraction or with a colon, and it stays the same when both quantities are scaled by the same factor. For example, the ratio of 8 to 4 is 8/4 or 8:4, which simplifies to 2:1 and shows there are twice as many of the first quantity as the second. This is different from subtraction, which yields a difference between the quantities, or multiplication, which yields a product. A ratio captures the proportional relationship, not just a single division result.