Ratio

A ratio compares two quantities $a,b$, written $a:b$ and corresponding to division $a/b$ when $b\ne 0$. Equal ratios of corresponding lengths characterize the scaling of similar triangles.

For example, $6:4$ and $3:2$ specify the same ratio because $6/4=3/2$. Multiplying both entries by the same nonzero scale preserves the quotient: $(ca)/(cb)=a/b$. This is useful when comparing mixtures or scaling a recipe; doubling both ingredient amounts preserves their ratio, while adding the same amount to both generally does not. For quantities with the same physical units, their ratio is dimensionless, connecting this elementary calculation with dimensional analysis.