How to know which number in the ratio is to one? (Please help)

For example, I'm currently doing an a level biology question about the ratio of final mass to initial mass of chips. The ratios change, with initially the initial mass being smaller than the final mass but this changes to the final mass being greater than the initial mass. so how do i know if its 1:x or x:1

if its says that its final mass to initial mass, thats the order of the ratio so final:initial

but which one do i deduce to 1? is it final 1 : initial x (ie. 0.2) or is it final x (random numbers again ie. 0.82) : 1 initial
Usually I'd keep the smaller number as the 1 but this question it changes and therefore some will be negative and some will be positive and I just dont know which is 1

For example, I'm currently doing an a level biology question about the ratio of final mass to initial mass of chips. The ratios change, with initially the initial mass being smaller than the final mass but this changes to the final mass being greater than the initial mass. so how do i know if its 1:x or x:1

so for instance if the initial mass is 120g and the final mass is 90g then the ratio

Final: Initial is 90 : 120

or if you prefer

Initial : Final is 120 : 90

you can if you wish simplify the ratios to 3 : 4 and 4 : 3

then you can change so you get a 1

3 : 4 can be written as 1 : 4/3

or 3/4 : 1

& 4 : 3

can be written as 4/3 : 1

or 1 : 3/4

Yes, you've correctly analyzed the scenario and simplified the ratios. Let's go through it step by step:

Given that the initial mass is 120g and the final mass is 90g, you can express the ratio in two ways:

Final:Initial = 90:120
Simplifying this ratio gives you 3:4.

Initial:Final = 120:90
Simplifying this ratio gives you 4:3.

To express the ratio with a 1, you can either divide both terms of the ratio by the same number or write the reciprocal:

3:4 can be simplified by dividing both terms by 3, resulting in 1:4/3 or 1:1.33 (rounded to two decimal places).
Alternatively, you can divide both terms by 4, resulting in 3/4:1 or 0.75:1.

4:3 can be simplified by dividing both terms by 4, resulting in 4/3:1 or 1.33:1 (rounded to two decimal places).
Alternatively, you can divide both terms by 3, resulting in 4/3:1 or 1.33:1.

Both expressions are valid and convey the same information, but the choice between them depends on the context and the preferred way of representing the ratio.

I've attached the question, it's only the table I am trying to work out but as you see there is a change in which one is greater and that's why I'm stumped.

I've attached the question, it's only the table I am trying to work out but as you see there is a change in which one is greater and that's why I'm stumped.

I've attached the question, it's only the table I am trying to work out but as you see there is a change in which one is greater and that's why I'm stumped.