A sample-to-blank ratio is an instrument comparison. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

Blank and sample are instrument outputs

The blank output is 12 and the sample output is 4.

Sblank=12,Ssample=4S_{\text{blank}}=12,\quad S_{\text{sample}}=4
Optical transferExact stage transfers set the output signal.sourcestagestage24124

The ratio is a readout comparison

The sample-to-blank ratio is 1/3. It is a signal ratio, not a concentration claim.

SsampleSblank=13\frac{S_{\text{sample}}}{S_{\text{blank}}}=\frac{1}{3}
Optical transferExact stage transfers set the output signal.sourcestagestage24124