Put simply, a ratio is a comparison of two numbers. Ratios are generally used to relate the magnitude of two like parameters of an object (or two or more similar objects) relative to one another. For example, the parameters used in a ratio may describe the same object, such as the length and width of a cardboard box, or differing objects, such as the weight, in pounds, of two bags of fruit. Alternatively, a ratio may provide a means to convert units of measurement that describe the same object, such as 12 inches of string equaling 1 foot of string or 100 centimeters of pavement equaling 1 meter of pavement. The magnitude may represent size, distance, weight, amount, or any other quantifiable parameter of the object(s); the parameters being compared within the ratio are generally quantities (such as the number of red marbles compared to the number of blue marbles in...