| Sumario: | Although the ratio is one of the most commonly used statistics, it is also one of the most frequently misused statistics. One often overlooked problem arises when the ratio is formed from two discrete quantities, that is, when the numerator and denominator are quantized or digitized. In these circumstances, the histogram, or probability distribution, of the ratio frequently contains considerable fine structure that is simply a statistical artifact of the ratioing of two discrete variables and that disappears when one or both variables become continuous. This statistical artifact is neither a binning error nor is it removed by taking more data, and it is important to be aware of the artifact so that misinterpretation of the ratio data can be avoided. The writers provide examples of the statistical artifact, including one from baseball, and consider ways to avoid or minimize the problems that it can generate.
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