Unit 2

Using Ratio and Proportion to Convert between Values

One of the nifty things about using ratio and proportion for solving all conversions and drug
calculations in this course is that the rules are consistent and unchanging. Once learners are
comfortable with fractions and ratio and proportion, we can learn/teach how to read the math and
let it do the work of telling us what to do next. Learners quickly learn how to use the ratio/proportion
strategies and easily move to conversions and drug dosage calculations.

Here are the steps in the process to solve a conversion problem:

1) Determine if this is really a conversion problem

2) Translate any English statements into mathematics (Make an equation)

3) Create “unity” ratio #1 ( a ratio equal to 1). Unity ratio #1 always comes from the conversion
problem. Start with an equation and divide both side by one of them to get a ratio equal to 1.

4) Create “unity” ratio #2 from a known conversion factor. Start with an equation and divide both
sides by one of the values such that like values in Unity Ratios 1 & 2 are in the same position of the
ratio.

5) Create a proportion using “unity” ratios #1 and #2

6) Cross multiply (across the = sign) and make a new equation

7) Isolate the ? (Divide both sides by “everything NOT" ?)

8) Reduce numbers and units until all units reduce to 1.

9) Compute the basic math to find the numeric value of ?

? = 7000

10) Substitute the value of ?in the original proportion and identify the appropriate units for the
number.

11) Check your work: if the problem is a single conversion, validate your answer by substituting the
numeric value for the ? and cross multiply in your original proportion. Values should be equal.

7 mg = 7000 mcg

PS: I know this one seems easy, but the same procedure works with the tough ones, too!!
We will use the same principles for all of our conversions and dosage calculation problems.
Once you learn the principles of ratio and proportion no one can throw you a curve!

FOR “DOUBLE CONVERSIONS”

For more complex conversion that might require more steps, you should use the same process, but
you will end up with units that don’t cancel as you isolate your ?. Once you have “isolated the ?” ALL
of the math becomes REDUCTION steps. Let’s walk through one together:

If the doctor orders gr iss of “wonder drug” but you find that you only have “wonder drug”
in mcg, how many mcg are equal to gr i?

1) Is this a conversion problem? A conversion problem converts between units of measure of volume
to volume or weight to weight or length to length. Is this a conversion problem?
 Yes, it’s a conversion between weight and weight (mcg and gr)

2) gr iss = ? mcg

3)

4) Conversion factors we will use since we don’t have a direct conversion for this problem:

5) Proportion using Unity ratio #1 and #2

6) Cross multiply across the = sign:

7) Isolate the ? (divide by "everything NOT" ?)

Because units still exist, the math is telling us we must get another conversion factor and make
another unity ratio. We already identified we need to use a conversion between mg and mcg. NOW,
it’s very important to remember that this is now a REDUCTION STEP….Once the ?is isolated to one
side we are NO LONGER going to work with the ? side. We need to reduce the ratio by a conversion
factor for mg and mcg.

8) Reduction:
9) Basic Math:

NOTE: Reduction is done only on one side of the equation and NEVER across an = sign.
Cross mulitiplication is done ONLY across an = sign and NO reduction can be done across an
= sign.

NOTE: When doing reduction, the units must be opposite the units to be reduced.

10) Find the original proportion and ? is labeled as mcg so gr 1.5 is approximately 90,000 mcg.

You cannot double check your work by substituting the ? value because the units are not the
same.

OK, time for the practice conversions in the Unit 2 practice problems.

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