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.
<span> 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.</span><span> In other words, 1:3 is the same as your ratio 4:12.</span><span> 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.</span><span> 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.</span><span> 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).</span><span> This can also be stated in terms of percentages, like 25% + 75% = 100%.</span>
