What does the term 'gear ratio' signify?

The term 'gear ratio' signifies the ratio of the number of teeth on two gears that are engaged with each other, which directly influences the speed and torque output of a system. This measurement is crucial in mechanical engineering and applications involving gears, as it dictates how the motion and forces are transmitted through the gears.

When the gear ratio is high, it means that the input gear has fewer teeth than the output gear, resulting in increased torque but decreased speed. Conversely, a lower gear ratio translates to a situation where the input gear has more teeth than the output gear, leading to greater speed but reduced torque. This relationship is essential for engineers and technicians to understand when designing and analyzing machines, vehicles, and other mechanical systems where gear interactions are fundamental to their function.