Decrease sth by

Question

Hi Everyone,

I just came across a sentence that I'm not sure if I understood it correctly or not.

The sentence is

"This object can decrease the A-to-B ratio by less than a factor of two"

Now I understand the if, say, a house price decreased by a factor of two, it means that the new house price is half of the old one.

Applying the same knowledge...

My understanding of it is that the "new" A-to-B ratio will be less that 50% of the "old" A-to-B ratio, since it mentioned that the phrase "less than a factor of two".

Is that a correct understanding?

One last favour. Would anyone please also correct my grammatical mistakes if there's any

Thank you in advance

Kenny

Teechr · Accepted Answer

KennyLuI just came across a sentence that I'm not sure if I understood it correctly. ~~or not.~~

KennyLuThe sentence is:

KennyLuThis object can decrease the A-to-B ratio by less than a factor of two.

Basically, and without further context to indicate otherwise, "by less than a factor of two" means "by less than 50%".

KennyLuNow I understand ~~the~~ that if, say, a house price decreased by a factor of two, it means that the new house price is half of the old one.

KennyLuApplying the same logic, ~~knowledge...M~~ my understanding of it is that the "new" A-to-B ratio will be less that 50% of the "old" A-to-B ratio, since it mentioned ~~that~~ the phrase "less than a factor of two".

KennyLuIs that a correct understanding?

No. Say, for example, that the old ratio was 8; then 50% (a factor of two) of than would be 4, and a lesser amount than that might, for instance, be 3. Thus, the new ration would be 5 (8-3=5). That is not 50% less than the original ratio.

KennyLuOne last favour. Would anyone please also correct my grammatical mistakes if ~~there's~~ there are any?

KennyLuThank you in advance.

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