CPHA 1206 PHARMACEUTICAL

CALCULATIONS

By
Masumba Isaac
Pharmaceutical calculations
Department of Pharmacy
Mbale college of health sciences
 Objectives
• Prerequisite Mathematics Review
• Numbers and numerals
• Arabic and roman numerals
• Fractions, Ratio and proportion, Decimals and
Percentages,
• Percentage concentrations expression
 Numbers and numerals
Number
• A number is a total quantity or amount.
Numeral
• Is a word, sign or a group of words and
signs representing symbols.
Arabic numerals such as 1,2,3 etc are usually
used to indicate quantities. This numerals
are represented by a zero and nine digits.
 Cont.
• Roman numerals are used in
apothecary’s system of measurement
to designate quantities on
prescriptions.
• In roman numerals letters of alphabet
both upper and lower case are used to
designate numbers. I or i, V or v, X or x
Roman numerals Arabic numerals
I or I 1
II or ii 2
III or iii 3
IV or iv 4
V or v 5
VI or vi 6
VII or vii 7
VIII or viii 6
IX or ix 9
X or x 10
XX or xx 20
XXX or xxx 30
L or l 50
C or c 100
D or d 500
M or m 1000
 Rules of roman numerals
• When a roman numeral is repeated it doubles its value
and when its trippled it tripples its value. I.e. I = 1, ii
=2, x = 10, xx = 20, xxx = 30
• When roman numerals of lesser value follow the one of
greater value they are added.ie v + I + I = 5 + 1 + 1 = 7
• When roman numerals of lesser value proceeds one of
greater value, its subtracted from the greater value ie I
x = 10 – 1 = 9
• When roman numerals of lesser value are placed
between roman numerals of greater value. We first
subtract then we add the greater values. XXIX = 10+10+
( 10-1) = 29
 Cont.
• Roman numerals can not be
repeated more than three
successions i.e. III = 3 not IIII for 4 it
will be IV.
• When possible always use the largest
value i.e. 15 = XV instead of VVV
•
Fractions, Ratio and proportion, Decimals and
Percentages

Fractions.
• A fraction is a portion of a whole number.
• Fractions contain two numbers: bottom number
(denominator) and top number ( numerator).
• The numerator in the fraction is the number of
parts that we have and denominator in the
fraction is the total number of parts which the
number is divide.
 Types of fractions
• Common fractions
This include fractions like ¾, ½ ,etc.
Also referred to us simple fractions.
• Decimal fractions
They include 0.25,1.7,0.8 etc.
Usually referred to as decimals
 Terms used in fractions
• A proper fraction should always be lesser 1 i.e. the
numerator is less than the denominator.
Example
½, 5/6 and 7/8
A proper fraction such as 3/8 maybe read as 3 of 8
parts.
An improper fraction is one which is equal or greater
than one. Has a numerator greater or equal to one.
I.e. 8/5
 Cont.
• Mixed fractions
The whole number and proper fractions are
combined.ie. 1 can be a whole number and ½ us am
improper fraction. = 1 ½
• Complex fractions
The numerator or denominator or both maybe whole
number, proper fraction or mixed fraction. 5/8 / 4/7
• Equivalent fractions
This are fractions which present the same number
i.E ½ = 2/4
 Addition of fractions
Steps followed.
• Find the least common denominator or the smallest
number that divides all the denominators evenly.
• Change each fraction so that it has the same
denominators but remains with its original value.
• Add the numerator.
• Reduce the resulting fraction to its lowest terms.
i.e 4/5 + ¾ = 4/20 + 3/20 = 4+3/20 = 7/20
• For improper 7 ½ = [(2 x 7) +1]/2 = 15/2 then we can
add if they are many.
 Subtracted of fractions
Steps followed.
• Find the least common denominator or the smallest
number that divides all the denominators evenly.
• Change each fraction so that it has the same
denominators but remains with its original value.
• Substract the numerator.
• Reduce the resulting fraction to its lowest terms.
i.e 4/5 - ¾ = 4/20 + 3/20 = 4-3/20 = 1/20
• For improper 7 ½ = [(2 x 7) +1]/2 = 15/2 then we can
subtract if they are many.
 Multiplying of fractions
Steps followed.
• Fractions are multiplied by multiplying the
two numerators to obtain the product of
numerators and multiply the two
denominators to obtain their product which
are multiplied accordingly. i.e ¾ x ½ = (3 x
1)/(4 x 2) = 3/8
• Reduce the fraction the lowest terms if
possible. i.e 6/8 =3/4
 Division of fractions
• To divide a whole number or
fraction( improper or proper ) invert the
divisor and multiply the fractions.
• i.e = 4/5 / 2/3 = 4/5 x 3/2 = 4x3/5x2=
12/10 = 6/5
 Ratios
Calculations involving ratios, proportions and
percentage are very important in dispensing and
compounding of medicines.
• Ratio
is a comparison of two numbers or like quantities.
Can be expressed as quotient, fraction, a
percentage or decimal.
Quotient. is the number obtained by dividing one
quantity by another. i.e 30/10 = 3 is the quoetient.
1/3 can be written us 1:3 in ratio form.
 Proportions
• Two equal fractions or ratios can be written us a
proportion.
Dfn
Proportion is a statement of equality between two
fractions or ratios.
i.e a:b = c:d
a:b : : c:d
a/b = c/d
 cont
• If one of the terms in a proportion is
unknown, it can be disgnated us X
• The value of x can be calculated us follows:
• Cross multiply the equated equation.
• Solve for x by dividing on both sides
• Then divide on both sides the number
multiplied by x
• i.e ½ = x/4 , 4x1 = 1x X , 4 = X
 Example
• How many mg of drug Demerol is present in
5ml when there are 15mg of Demerol in 1mL?
drug : volume = drug : volume
15mg : 1ml = X : 15ml
15/1 = X/15
15 x 15 = Xx1
75 = X
 Decimals
• Decimals are other means of expressing fractional
amount.
Dfn.
A decimal is a fraction whose denominator is a
multiple of 10.
i.e 0.8 = 8/10, 0.08 = 8/100, 0.008 = 8/1000
Decimal mixed number is a whole number and
decimal fraction.ie 4.3 = 4 3/10
Practice . Addition, multiplication,division and
subtraction of decimals
 Percentage
• The word percent means hundredths
of a whole number.
• its represented by % i.e 1%
• Percentage indicates rates per
hundred or parts per 100 parts
• 15% means 15 parts in 100parts
Percentage concentrations expression

Concentration
Is the quantity of a substance in relation to a definite
volume or weight the other substance. i.e 5g/8g,
2g/10ml
Percent weight in volume %w/v
Is the number of grams of a constituent (solute) in
100ml of liquid preparation( solution)
Percent weight in weight %w/w
Is the number of grams of a constituent (solute) in
100gof preparation( solution)
• Percent volume in volume %v/v
• Is the number of millitres of a constituent
(solute) in 100ml of liquid
preparation( solution)
• Milligrams percent. Mg%
• Is the number of milligrams of a constituent
(solute) in 100ml of liquid
preparation( solution)
 END
THANK YOU