Ratio Calculator
About Ratio Calculator
Understanding Ratios
A ratio compares two or more quantities by showing their relative sizes. Written as A:B, it means for every A units of the first quantity, there are B units of the second. Ratios are used in recipes (2:1 flour to sugar), maps (1:50000 scale), finance (price-to-earnings ratio), chemistry (mixing solutions), and construction (concrete mix 1:2:3). Solving proportions means finding a missing value when you know three of four values in two equivalent ratios. If 2:3 = x:12, then x must be 8 because the ratio must remain constant.
Ratio Operations
This calculator performs several ratio operations: Simplify reduces a ratio to lowest terms by dividing by the GCD. Solve proportion finds missing value using cross-multiplication: if A/B = C/D, then A x D = B x C. Scale multiplies both sides by a factor to find equivalent ratios. Convert transforms ratios to fractions, decimals, or percentages.
How to Use This Calculator
To solve a proportion, enter three known values and leave one field empty (the unknown). Click Calculate and the missing value appears instantly. To simplify a ratio, enter both values and click Simplify. The calculator also shows the ratio as a fraction and percentage for additional context.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I solve a proportion?
Use cross-multiplication. If A/B = C/D and you need D, then D = (B x C) / A. Example: 3/4 = 9/x, so x = (4 x 9) / 3 = 12.
How do I simplify a ratio?
Divide both numbers by their greatest common divisor. Example: 12:8 divided by GCD 4 gives 3:2.
What is the difference between ratio and proportion?
A ratio compares two quantities (3:4). A proportion states that two ratios are equal (3:4 = 6:8). Proportions are equations you can solve for unknowns.
