The multiplication
Step 0 is the base size, usually the body text. Each step above multiplies the previous one by the ratio: step 1 is base times ratio, step 2 is base times ratio squared. Steps below the base divide instead. With base 16 and ratio 1.25 the upward run is 20, 25, 31.25, 39.06, 48.83, 61.04; downward, 12.8 and 10.24.