The Mathematical Symbol "Ratio (∶)"
The "Ratio" Symbol (∶)
The ∶ symbol represents the mathematical concept of a "ratio." A ratio is a relationship between two numbers that defines the amount of one quantity in comparison to another. In essence, it is a way to express a fraction or proportion between two quantities.
Usage of ∶
Ratios are a fundamental concept in various fields of mathematics, science, and everyday life. They provide a way to compare quantities and establish proportional relationships.
Example 1: Mixing Ingredients
Consider a recipe that calls for a 2:1 ratio of flour to sugar. This means that for every two units of flour, one unit of sugar is required. If you were using cups as your unit, you'd mix 2 cups of flour with 1 cup of sugar.
Example 2: Scaled Drawings
In architecture, a drawing might be done to a scale of 1:100, which indicates that every 1 unit on the drawing represents 100 units in real life. So, a 1 cm line on the drawing corresponds to a 100 cm (or 1 m) actual length.
Significance in Different Fields
Ratios play a pivotal role in diverse applications:
- Finance: Ratios such as the price-to-earnings ∶ are used to evaluate stocks and other investments.
- Science: Concentrations in solutions are often given as weight/volume ratios, e.g., a 5% (w/v) sugar solution.
- Mathematics: In geometry, the golden ∶ (approximately 1.618) is a unique number that appears in various natural phenomena.
In summary, the ∶ symbol represents a mathematical concept of comparing two quantities. It has widespread importance in various domains, showcasing the interconnectedness of mathematics with the world around us.
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Codes for the ∶ Symbol
| The Symbol | ∶ | |
| Alt Code | Alt 8758 | |
| HTML Code | ∶ | |
| HTML Entity | ∶ | |
| CSS Code | \2236 | |
| Hex Code | ∶ | |
| Unicode | U+2236 |
How To Insert the ∶ Symbol
(Method 1) Copy and paste the symbol.
The easiest way to get the ∶ symbol is to copy and paste it into your document.Bear in mind that this is a UTF-8 encoded character. It must be encoded as UTF-8 at all stages (copying, replacing, editing, pasting), otherwise it will render as random characters or the dreaded �.
(Method 2) Use the "Alt Code."
If you have a keyboard with a numeric pad, you can use this method. Simply hold down the Alt key and type 8758. When you lift the Alt key, the symbol appears. ("Num Lock" must be on.)(Method 3) Use the HTML Decimal Code (for webpages).
| HTML Text | Output |
|---|---|
| <b>My symbol: ∶</b> | My symbol: ∶ |
(Method 4) Use the HTML Entity Code (for webpages).
| HTML Text | Output |
|---|---|
| <b>My symbol: ∶</b> | My symbol: ∶ |
(Method 5) Use the CSS Code (for webpages).
| CSS and HTML Text | Output |
|---|---|
|
<style> span:after { content: "\2236";} </style> <span>My symbol:</span> | My symbol: ∶ |
(Method 6) Use the HTML Hex Code (for webpages and HTML canvas).
| HTML Text | Output |
|---|---|
| <b>My symbol: ∶</b> | My symbol: ∶ |
| JavaScript Text |
|---|
|
const x = "0x"+"E9" ctx.fillText(String.fromCodePoint(x), 5, 5); |
| Output |
∶ |
(Method 7) Use the Unicode (for various, e.g. Microsoft Office, JavaScript, Perl).
The Unicode for ∶ is U+2236. The important part is the hexadecimal number after the U+, which is used in various formats. For example, in Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Word, PowerPoint), do the following:| Type | Output |
|---|---|
| 2236 [Hold down Alt] [Press x] | ∶ (The 2236 turns into ∶. Note that you can omit any leading zeros.) |
| JavaScript Text | Output |
|---|---|
| let str = "\u2236" document.write("My symbol: " + str) | My symbol: ∶ |