Mariano Marcos State University

College of Health Sciences

Pharmacy Department
City of Batac 2906 Ilocos Norte

PHARM 132: Pharmaceutical Calculations and Techniques

1st Semester of A.Y. 2020-2021

TITLE
Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Calculations (Part 1)
Fraction, Decimal, Fractions and Percentage

Introduction
The use of calculations in pharmacy is varied and broad-based. It encompasses calculations
performed by pharmacists in traditional as well as in specialized settings and within
operational and research areas in industry, academia and government.
Pharmaceutical calculations is the area of study that applies to basic principles of
mathematics to the preparation and efficacious use of pharmaceutical preparations.

PRESENTATION OF OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, the students must have:

Executed common and decimal fractions, percentage equivalent, expression in ratio,

proportion, variation, percentage and dimensional analysis in problem solving and use of
significant figures in calculations.

WARM - UP ACTIVITY
If you order a whole 12-sliced pizza, how many slices can you eat? Express it in terms of fraction.

CENTRAL ACTIVITIES

Learning Input 1 (Lecture)

Introduction

Pharmaceutical dispensing and compounding utilize simple arithmetic. The errors that may
arise are often due to carelessness, as an improper placing of decimal points or incorrect
conversion from one system to another or uncertainty concerning the system of
measurement to be used. Before preceding with any calculation, it is imperative that the
problem presented be identified and the procedure to be used in the calculation be

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selected.

Often several steps are necessary to solve problems. Shortcuts should not be taken unless
one is certain that they are proper. Many problems can be solved by the method of ratio
and proportion, but if the student understands the problem, he may use any method that
will give the correct answer. Many problems can be solved by more than one procedure and
if the student find a procedure that is more logical to him and gives the correct answer, he
can use it.

The problems usually consist in determining the quantity or quantities of materials required
to compound prescription orders properly and make products used to aid the compounding
of prescription orders. The materials to be used for compounding prescriptions maybe pure
or mixture of substances in varying strengths. The strength of mixtures maybe denoted in
various ways. Conversions maybe necessary between systems of varying strengths or
between various measuring systems.

The student should be familiar with the terminology used in writing prescription orders such
as Latin words and abbreviations used in giving directions to the pharmacist and patient.

Metrology

The word metrology actually derives from the Greek words ‘metron’ and ‘logos’ which
translated means the study of measurement.
The origins of measurement go back even further than the Greeks to the Egyptians. They
would use standards of measurement, with regular calibrations, to ensure stones were cut
to the correct size for their building projects.
Metrology is the science of measurement, embracing both experimental and theoretical
determinations at any level of uncertainty in any field of science and technology.
(International Bureau of Weights and Measures, BIPM 2004).

The first technical operation which a student of pharmacy must learn is the manipulation of
weights and balances. This entails a study of the various system of weights and
measurements, their relationships and a mastery of the mathematics involved.

Definition

Pharmaceutical calculations is the area of study that applies to basic principles Of

mathematics to the preparation and efficacious use of pharmaceutical preparations.

Units of Measurement
1. International Systems of Units (SI) is referred to as the metric system

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2. Avoirdupois System is the common system of commerce
3. Apothecaries’ System of Measurement is the traditional system pharmaceutical
measurement

The International System of Units (SI) is the official system for weights and measures in the
United States Pharmacopeia-National Formulary.

Apothecaries’ Fluid Measure

60 minims = 1 fluidrachm or fluidram (ʒ)

8 fluidrachm (480 minims) = 1 fluidounce

16 fluidounces = 1 pint (pt)

2 pints (32 fluidounces) = 1 quart (qt)

4 quarts (8 pints) = 1 gallon (gal)

Apothecaries’ Measure of Weight

20 grains (gr) = 1 scruple

3 scruples (60 grains) = 1 drachm or dram (ʒ)

8 drachms (480 grains) = 1 ounce

12 ounces (5760 grains) = 1 pound (lb)

*When it is apparent on a prescription or in a formula that the symbol refers to a liquid

rather than a solid, the “f” may be absent

Avoidupois Measure of Weight

437.5 grain = 1 ounce (oz)

16 ounces (7000 grains) = 1 pound (lb)

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 Practical and Precise Conversion Equivalents

Unit Practical Pharmacy Precise Equivalent*

Equivalent
Conversion
Equivalents of Length
1m 39.37 in 39.37008 in

1 in 2.54 cm (exact)

Conversion Equivalents of Volume

1 mL 16.23 minims 16.23073 minims

1 minim 0.06 mL 0.06161152 mL

1 fluidram 3.69 mL 3.696691 mL

1 fluidounce 29.57 mL 29.57353 mL

1 pint 473 mL 473.1765 mL

1 gal (US)** 3785 mL 3785.412 mL

Conversion Equivalents of Weight

1 gram 15.432 grain 15.43236 grain

1 kilogram 2.20 lb (avoir.) 2.204623 lb (avoir.)

1 grain 0.065 gram 0.06479891 gram

(65 milligram)
1 oz (avoir.) 28.35 grams 28.349523125 grams

1 ounce 31.1 grams 31.1034768 grams

1 lb (avoir.) 454 grams 453.59237 grams

1 lb (apoth.) 373 grams 373.2417216 grams

Other Useful Equivalents

1 oz. (avoir.) 437.5 grains (exact)

1 ounce 480 grains (exact)

1 gal (US) 128 fluidounce

(exact)

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 Fraction

 A fraction simply tells how many parts of a whole. It can be determined by the slash
that is written between the two numbers. The top number is the numerator, and a
bottom number is denominator. For example, 1/2 is a fraction.
 A fraction where both top and bottom numbers are integers. Example: 1/2 and 3/4 are
both Common Fractions.
 An improper fraction is a fraction in which the numerator (top number) is greater than
or equal to the denominator (bottom number)
 A whole number and a fraction combined into one "mixed" number.

Common Fractions with Decimal and Percent Equivalents

1.

Fraction Decimal Percent

How to find a common
1/4 0.25 25%

3/4 0.75 75%

1/5 0.2 20%

2/5 0.4 40%

Examples:

1. Convert 3 3/6 to lowest terms

Answer: 21/6

2. Covert 22/6 to a mixed fraction

Answer: 3 4/6

3. If the adult dose of a medication is 2 teaspoonful (tsp), calculate the dose for a child if it is
1/4 of the adult dose.
Answer: 1/4 x 2 tsp = 2/4 or 1/2 tsp
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Decimal
In algebra, a decimal number can be defined as a number whose whole number part and
the fractional part is separated by a decimal point. The dot in a decimal number is called
a decimal point. The digits following the decimal point show a value smaller than one.

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A decimal fraction is a fraction with a denominator of 10 or any power of 10 and is
expressed decimally rather than a common fraction. Thus, 1/10 is expressed as 0.10 and
45/10 is 0.45. It is important to include the zero before the decimal point. This helps
eliminate errors. Decimal fractions often are used in pharmaceutical calculations.

To convert a common fraction to a decimal fractions, divide the denominator into the
numerator.
Example:
1/8 = 1 ÷ 8 = 0.125

To convert decimal fraction to a common fraction, express the decimal fraction as a ratio
and reduce.
Example:
0.25 = 25/100 = 1/4

Decimal to percent conversion table

Decimal Percent

0.001 0.1%
0.01 1%
0.02 2%
0.03 3%

Examples:
0.75 = seventy five hundredths
0.1 = one tenth

Activity 1

Solve the following:

Change the following proper fraction to decimal fractions:

1. 3/5

2. 2/3

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3. 3/500

Perform the indicated calculations and reduce fractions to lowest terms:

1. 1/4 + 5/6

2. 4/9 - 1/3

3. 2 x 2/3

4. 2 1/3 ÷ 3/8

Learning Input 2 (Laboratory)

A fraction simply tells us how many parts of a whole we have. You can recognize a fraction
by the slash that is written between the two numbers. We have a top number,
the numerator, and a bottom number, the denominator. For example, 1/2 is a fraction. You
can write it with a slanted slash like we have or you can write the 1 on top of the 2 with the
slash between the two numbers. The 1 is the numerator, and the 2 is the denominator.

The decimal numeral system is the standard system for denoting integer and non-integer
numbers. It is the extension to non-integer numbers of the Hindu–Arabic numeral system.
The way of denoting numbers in the decimal system is often referred to as decimal notation.

Activity 2: Fractions

Perform the indicated calculations and reduce fraction to lowest terms:

1. 2/3 + 2 3/7 =

2. 3 1/2 - 1 2/3 =

3. 3 1/2 x 3 3/14 =

4. 1 1/2 ÷ 2 2/7 =

5. Change the fraction to decimal: 5/8

Activity 3: Decimals

1. Change the following decimal to proper fraction: 0.008

2. Write the following number in words: 1.6

3. Perform the indicated calculation:

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 A. 6.8 + 2.986 + 14.7 + 0.89 =

B. 2.006 - 0.998

C. 12.54 ÷ 0.02

D. 5.25 x 0.37

WRAP - UP ACTIVITY
1. Discussion Forum (Open-ended questions)
 You are expected to participate in the discussion forum scheduled on August 31, 2020
(unless otherwise rescheduled), Monday via the mVLE BigBlueButton BN. Please refer
to the course guide for your scheduled time.
 An invitation link will be available in the mVLE course site.
 Open-ended questions related to the topics will be asked randomly among students
during the discussion proper.
 In addition, you are also given opportunity to ask or raise clarifications during
discussion.

ASSESSMENT
Online Exam
 You are required take the Post-Test mVLE Quiz Portal in Lecture and Laboratory.
 Accomplish and submit the said exam on or before 11:59 PM on August 31, 2020
(Monday)

COURSE FACILITATOR

Aileen O. Camangeg
Associate Professor V
Pharmacy Department
09175581028/ 09088904292
aocamangeg@mmsu.edu.ph