What is the Difference Between Fraction and Ratio?

The main difference between a fraction and a ratio lies in their definitions and applications. Here are the key differences:

• Fraction: A fraction represents a part of a whole. It is used to show a part of or compare something to the whole. For example, if you have four apples and want to give half of them to a friend, you would give them 2/4 (or 1/2) of the apples. The denominator of a fraction represents the number of equal parts the whole is divided into.
• Ratio: A ratio compares the size of two or more quantities in relation to each other. It expresses the relationship between two numbers or quantities. Ratios can compare numbers with the same or different units.

While both fractions and ratios involve dividing one number by another, a fraction always represents the part of a whole, while a ratio compares the relative sizes of two or more quantities. In some cases, a ratio can be expressed as a fraction, but it does not represent the same thing as a fraction.

For example:

• Fraction: If you have eight girls and six boys in a class, the fraction representing the number of girls would be 8/14 (8 girls out of 14 students).
• Ratio: If you have eight girls and six boys in a class, the ratio representing the proportion of girls to boys would be 8:6, showing the relationship between the number of girls and boys in the class.

Comparative Table: Fraction vs Ratio

Here is a table highlighting the differences between fractions and ratios:

Fractions emphasize the comparison of a part to the whole, while ratios compare two quantities directly. Fractions are always expressed as a fraction, whereas ratios can be expressed as a fraction or a decimal. Operations with fractions, such as addition and subtraction, can be challenging, but working with ratios is generally simpler.