Math in the Workplace: Overview

Math in the Workplace - Numbers & Operations

Problem:

A horse weighs 1,200 pounds. He is sick and has been diagnosed with a certain disease. This disease is treated with Drug X. Instructions are to give 3 mg/kg orally twice a day for 5 days. The medicine is provided in 200 mg tablets.
2.2 pounds = 1 kg

How many tablets need to be dispensed each day?

How many tablets need to be dispensed for the 5 days of treatment?

Solution:

1,200 lbs 2.2 lbs/kg	= 545 kgs (weight of horse)
545 kgs x 3 mg/kg = 1,635 mg
1,635 mg x 2 times/day = 3,270 mg per day
3,270 mg/day 200 mg/pill	= 16.35 or 16 pills per day
16.35 pills/day x 5 days = 81.75 pills to be dispensed Open-ended discussion: What would you do about the partial pill?

Math in the Workplace: Overview