Study of the ratio of W+jets to Z+jets in proton--proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 10~TeV with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC

We present a simulation study of the ratio of $\mathrm{W}$~+~jets to $\mathrm{Z}$~+~jets in $\mathrm{pp}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=10$ TeV and demonstrate the feasibility of measurements of the ratio up to four inclusive jets with $\mathcal O$(100) pb$^{-1}$ of early CMS data at the LHC. These measurements allow early understanding of $\mathrm{W}$~+~jets and $\mathrm{Z}$~+~jets production at the LHC, since several detector effects and theoretical uncertainties cancel out in the ratio. They also provide a means of implementing a data-driven normalization of the $\mathrm{W}~+$~jets and $\mathrm{Z}~+~$jets backgrounds to important Standard Model processes (e.g. top quark) and new physics searches.