For example , a divided by b is written This can be read out loud as `` a divided by b '' , `` a by b '' or `` a over b '' .

For example , a divided by b is written This can be read out loud as `` a divided by b '' or `` a over b '' . In some non-English-speaking cultures , `` a divided by b '' is written a : b. However , in MISC@1 usage the colon is restricted to expressing the related concept of ratios -LRB- then `` a is to b '' -RRB- .
