Mixing Adhesive - What Does 3 Parts By Volume Mean? Advice and information on tiling and fixing tiles to a variety of surfaces

[the2ems]

When the instructions say mix 3 parts by volume, does that mean 3 of powder to 1 of water, or 2 powder to one water?
If it's the first, how do you lay tiles with bread dough? :(

[welsh brickie]

3 parts water to 1 cement means just that, the consistency should be like bread dough before you start laying the tiles on it