Fraction vs. Ratio — What's the Difference?

Fractions are numerical expressions that divide a whole into parts, typically represented with a numerator and a denominator, such as 1/2 or 3/4. Whereas, ratios express the relationship between two quantities, which could be parts of a whole or two separate entities, shown as 3:2 or 5:1.

When using fractions, the focus is often on internal division within a single entity, such as slicing a pizza into eight pieces and taking three. On the other hand, a ratio might compare the number of slices taken to the number of slices left, or relate quantities from different categories, like comparing the number of apples to oranges.

In mathematics, fractions are used for precise calculations involving parts of a whole, integral to operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. While, ratios are crucial for understanding proportions and relationships, such as in recipes or maps, and are used to solve problems involving rates or densities.

Fractions can be converted into decimals, showing another form of expressing part of a whole (e.g., 1/2 becomes 0.5). Whereas, ratios can often be scaled up or down while maintaining the same proportion (e.g., a 1:2 ratio is equivalent to 2:4 or 3:6).

In everyday language, fractions are commonly used to describe partial quantities directly, like in measurements for cooking or stating a probability. In contrast, ratios often describe relative frequencies, such as odds in betting or the concentration of a solution.