| − | '''Aspect Ratio''' is a [[Geometry|geometrical]] term describing the [[ratio]] of the [[width]] to the [[height]] of a [[shape]], and is written as a fraction. For example, a square has an aspect ratio of 1, as both width and height are identical. A [[rectangle]] which is twice as wide as it is high would have an aspect ratio of 2. The side profile of a car which is four times as long as it is high would be 4. Or a skyscraper might have an aspect ratio of 0.10, if it were ten times as high as it was wide at the base. | + | '''Aspect Ratio''' is a [[Geometry|geometrical]] term describing the [[ratio]] of the [[width]] to the [[height]] of a [[shape]], and is written as a fraction. For example, a square has an aspect ratio of 1, as both width and height are identical. A [[rectangle]] which is twice as wide as it is high would have an aspect ratio of 2. The side profile of a car which is four times as long as it is high would be 4. Or a skyscraper might have an aspect ratio of 0.10, if it were ten times as high as it was wide at the base.<ref name="usaarl.army.mil">http://www.usaarl.army.mil/hmdbook/cp_011.htm</ref> |
| − | The term can be encountered in everyday use as a description of the 'shape' of TVs. Traditional, or [[Standard Definition]] (SD) television images have an aspect ratio of 4:3, whereas more modern [[High Definition]] (HD) ''Widescreen'' images usually have a ratio of 16:9. | + | The term can be encountered in everyday use as a description of the 'shape' of TVs. Traditional, or [[Standard Definition]] (SD) television images have an aspect ratio of 4:3, whereas more modern [[High Definition]] (HD) ''Widescreen'' images usually have a ratio of 16:9.<ref name="usaarl.army.mil">http://www.usaarl.army.mil/hmdbook/cp_011.htm</ref> |