What is the terminology for this geometry ratio?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the terminology related to the ratio of the parallel sides of a trapezoid. Participants clarify that while the aspect ratio for rectangles is well-defined, there is no established term for the ratio of the lengths of the parallel sides of a trapezoid, which is always unity. The lack of a specific name is attributed to the absence of common real-world applications for trapezoidal formats compared to rectangular formats, such as screens and monitors.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of geometric shapes, specifically trapezoids
  • Familiarity with aspect ratios in geometry
  • Basic knowledge of ratios and their applications
  • Awareness of real-world applications of geometric ratios
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical properties of trapezoids
  • Explore the concept of aspect ratios in various geometric shapes
  • Investigate applications of trapezoidal shapes in design and architecture
  • Learn about the significance of aspect ratios in digital media formats
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, geometry enthusiasts, designers, and anyone interested in the applications of geometric ratios in real-world contexts.

doubled
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
So if we imagine a rectangle. The aspect ratio is width/height.
What if you want the ratio of the parallel sides? Is there a terminnology for that ratio?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
That ratio is always unity. Why would you need a special word for that?
 
Sorry, my example was a bad one. The actual shape I'm interested in is a trapezoid which I think, theoretically, does not have an aspect ratio defined, but for the purposes of my project I have one defined. If you imagine a trapezoid with the parallel sides oriented vertically, is there a ratio for the parallel sides?
 
Unclear: do you want to know whether a special name for this ratio exits, or do you want to find some equation for it?
 
The name.
 
I am not aware of any special for that.
 
Nor am I. The reason there's a name for the ratio of the length to the width of a rectangle is because TV screens, theater screens, and computer monitors are all rectangular, but can have different aspect ratios. There isn't any similar real-world use for trapezoidal image formats, so it's doubtful anyone has come up with a name.
 

Similar threads

High School Understanding the relationship between ratios and fractions
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
High School How do equivalent ratios work in practical terms?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
High School What does 2:3 ratio mean? What does it show?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
High School Compensating for a bias - a simple geometry/algebra problem:
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School What are the ratios of width and length for these two rectangles?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
High School Understanding Ratio Basics to Splitting Costs with a 3:1 Ratio
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Golden Ratio in Collatz-like sequences
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School Understanding why πr^2 works for different area calculations
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
High School Help understanding continuing fractions
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
High School Rigid Transformations and other topics -- help with Learning Geometry?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K