How can you compare two ratios?

A ratio is a comparison of two numbers. Ratios can be expressed as a fraction, such as 4/7, or as two numbers with a colon, such as 4:7. You would say the ratio is four to seven. Ratios are common in business, finance, science and technology. Understanding ratios is also useful in everyday life. Examples of common ratios include miles per gallon and dollars per pound. It is difficult to mentally compute how a fraction such as 4/7 compares to 13/21. By converting the ratios to decimal numbers or percentages, you can compare them on a level field.