Ratio Calculator - Simplify, Scale & Solve Proportions

Q: How do I scale a ratio?

To scale a ratio A:B by a factor of n, multiply both parts: (AÃ—n):(BÃ—n). For example, ratio 2:3 scaled by 4 gives 8:12.

Q: What is the difference between ratio and fraction?

A fraction represents a part of a whole (numerator/denominator), while a ratio compares two or more quantities. The ratio 3:5 means for every 3 of A there are 5 of B; the fraction 3/5 means 3 out of 8 total parts.

Q: How are ratios used in real life?

Ratios are used in cooking (recipe scaling), map scales (1:50000), financial analysis (price-to-earnings ratio), mixing solutions, and aspect ratios in screens (16:9).

What is a Ratio?

A ratio is a comparison of two quantities. It shows how many times one value contains or is contained by another. Ratios are written as A:B or A/B and are used across cooking, finance, engineering, and everyday life. This calculator supports three common ratio operations: simplifying, scaling, and solving proportions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I simplify a ratio?

To simplify a ratio A:B, find the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) of A and B, then divide both by it. For example, 12:8 - GCD is 4, so the simplified ratio is 3:2.

What is a proportion?

A proportion states that two ratios are equal: A:B = C:D. If three values are known, the fourth can be found using D = (B Ã— C) / A. This is used in cooking, map reading, and scaling problems.

How do I scale a ratio?

To scale a ratio A:B by a factor n, multiply both parts: (AÃ—n):(BÃ—n). For example, ratio 2:3 scaled by 4 gives 8:12. The ratios are equivalent.

What is the difference between ratio and fraction?

A fraction (3/5) represents a part of a whole, while a ratio (3:5) compares two separate quantities. The ratio 3:5 means for every 3 of A there are 5 of B, totalling 8 parts.

How are ratios used in real life?

Ratios appear in cooking (recipe scaling), maps (1:50,000 scale), finance (P/E ratio), mixing paint or cement, aspect ratios of screens (16:9), and currency exchange rates.