Module 1

Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical
Calculations
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this module, you must be able to:

1. Convert common fractions, decimal fractions, and percentages

to their corresponding equivalent expressions and apply each in
calculations.
2. Utilize exponential notations in calculations
3. Apply the method of ratio and proportion in problem-solving. 
4. Apply the method of dimensional analysis.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of significant figures
 Module 1
Topic # Title Time Duration

1 Common and Decimal Fractions and Percentage 2 hours

2 Ratio, Proportion, Variation and Dimensional Analysis 2 hours

3 Significant Figures 2 hours

 Topic 1
Common and Decimal Fractions and Percentage

•Common fractions are portions of a whole, expressed at 1⁄3,

7⁄8, and so forth. They are used only rarely in pharmacy
calculations nowadays. It is recalled, that when adding or
subtracting fractions, the use of a common denominator is
required. The process of multiplying and dividing with fractions is
recalled by the following examples problems.
Example:

1. 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.
Example:
2. If a child’s dose of a cough syrup is 3⁄4 teaspoonful and
represents 1⁄4 of the adult dose, calculate the corresponding
adult dose.

⮚NOTE: When common fractions appear in a calculations problem, it is

often best to convert them to decimal fractions before solving.
Decimal Fraction
 Rules for Significant Figures
1. All non-zero digits are significant. Example 34.6 m has 3 significant figures because they
are all non-zeroes.
2. Captive zeroes are significant. (Captive zeroes are zeroes located between two non-
zeroes digits). Example: 3005 minutes has four (4) significant figures. The two (2) zeroes
located between 3 and 5 are called captive zeroes.
3. Leading zeroes are not significant. The only act as place markers to show only the
magnitude of measurement. (Leading zeroes are zeroes located in front of a non-zero
digit). Example: 0.000075 nm has two (2) significant figures only. All the zeroes located at
the front before the number 75 are not significant because they only show the magnitude
of the measurement. These zeroes cannot be dropped off. However, to get rid of these
zeroes, scientists express such measurements in scientific notations as 7.5 x 10 -5 nm.
4. Tailing zeroes are not significant. However, they can be significant if there is a decimal
point located at these zeroes. (Tailing zeroes are zeroes located after a non-zero digit).
Example: 7000 kg have only one (1) significant figure , seven (7), because all the zeroes
are tailing zeroes. On the other hand, if the value is 700.0 kg, then the measurement has
four (4) significant figures. What makes the digits all significant was the presence of a
decimal point on these tailing zeroes.
End of the Slide