What is the value of the ratio 4: 12?

Here 4 is called the antecedent, and 12 is called the consequent. The first term is always called the antecedent and the second term is always called the consequent. Your ratio can be reduced, just like a fraction. Here, 4 and 12 share the common factor of 4. So we can divide both numbers by 4 to get a ratio that means exactly the same thing as 4:12. This ratio will be 1:3. In other words, 1:3 is the same as your ratio 4:12. Ratios sometimes mean how each number relates to some whole amount. For example, your ratio is 4:12. Since, 4 + 12 = 16, 16 is your whole amount. So, 4 is one part of 16, and 12 is the other part of 16. So your ratio means 4/16 forms one part, and 12/16 forms the other part. This is what is meant by "ratios compare the size of one number to another number." The size of these two parts is what a ratio compares. Notice that 4/16 = 0.25 (25%), and 12/16 = 0.75 (75%) (these are the two parts), and 0.25 + 0.75 = 1 (they add to be 1 whole). This can also be stated in terms of percentages, like 25% + 75% = 100%.