You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Ratios & Whole Numbers
- Thread starter KWF
- Start date
HallsofIvy
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2012
- Messages
- 7,763
Who told you this was incorrect? Of course, given any ratio involving rational numbers, we can always change to a ratio that uses only whole numbers. But whether or not "ratios" (which simply means a comparison of numbers) must use only whole numbers is a matter of convention,Why should whole numbers be used with ratios?
Correct ratios include 8:1, 2:5, and 1:100. Incorrect ratios include 2.5:10, 1:4.5, and 3 1/2:100.
HallsofIvy
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2012
- Messages
- 7,763
Who told you this was incorrect? Of course, given any ratio involving rational numbers, we can always change to a ratio that uses only whole numbers. But whether or not "ratios" (which simply means a comparison of numbers) must use only whole numbers is a matter of convention,Why should whole numbers be used with ratios?
Correct ratios include 8:1, 2:5, and 1:100. Incorrect ratios include 2.5:10, 1:4.5, and 3 1/2:100.
I saw it at the following: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0073374695/881834/Chapte03.pdf
See 3.2 page 62.
Can you explain "... must use only whole numbers is a matter of convention"
See 3.2 page 62.
Can you explain "... must use only whole numbers is a matter of convention"
Why not?
I saw it at the following: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/site...4/Chapte03.pdf
See 3.2 page 62.
I saw it at the following: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/site...4/Chapte03.pdf
See 3.2 page 62.
Maybe the key to the statement is contained in the opening remark "As a healthcare professional, you will need to know how to determine the amount of drug contained in a quantity of a ..." Possibly it is standard for someone in the healthcare industry to only use whole numbers for ratios but it is not a mathematical truth. As an example of that fact, consider the statement found in many mathematical texts "Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to the diameter.". That is, C : D as Pi : 1 which can not be expressed as a whole number ratio.
Maybe the key to the statement is contained in the opening remark "As a healthcare professional, you will need to know how to determine the amount of drug contained in a quantity of a ..." Possibly it is standard for someone in the healthcare industry to only use whole numbers for ratios but it is not a mathematical truth. As an example of that fact, consider the statement found in many mathematical texts "Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to the diameter.". That is, C : D as Pi : 1 which can not be expressed as a whole number ratio.
Yes, I understand your comments, and I believe you are correct. It depends on the situation that the ratio is being used.
Thanks for the clarification!