Basic

Calculations and
Unit Analysis in
Pharmaceutical
Industry
By: Jeremy Lapuebla
The Story of Mars Orbiter in 1999
What is Unit Analysis?
 also known as dimensional analysis or the factor-label method, is a mathematical
technique used to convert one unit of measurement to another unit of measurement.
 It is a powerful tool for understanding and solving problems involving quantities
with different units, particularly in science and engineering.
 It is a basic foundation in creating a formula to solve complex problems.
What are the Importance of Unit Analysis?

1. It is used to solve problems without knowing the formula to be used

2. It is used for better estimates ( Budgeting, Planning and Prediction)

3. It is applied in our daily lives

What is a Unit of Measurement?
 is a standardized quantity that is used to express and compare physical or abstract
quantities.

 is a fixed standard quantity that is used for measuring things. ( Length, Mass, Time,
Temperature, Electric Current, Amount of Substance and Luminous Intensity)
 Two systems used to express unit of
measurement
1. English System of Units (Imperial Units)

ex. Pounds(lb), Inches(inch), Foot(ft), Gallon(gal)

2. International System of Units (SI) or Metric System

ex. Kilogram(Kg), Meter(m), Liter(L)

 English System Vs. System International
English System
 It is the original/ first unit system used.
 It is established and standardized by the
royal family.
System International
 It is more accurate than the English
System due to testing from certain
objects.
 It is the widely used unit system in the
world.
Base SI units
 Derived Unit of Measurements
 It is the combination of two or more units together.
Basic Conversion
Conversion for Length
Conversion for Weight
Conversion for Volume
Sample of simple conversion (Basic Unit)
 Convert the weight of 625mg of capsule
A. Grams (g) = x 625mg = 0.625 grams of capsule

B. Kilograms (Kg) = x 0.625g = 0.000625 Kilograms of capsule

c. Pounds (lb) = x 0.000625Kg = 0.001375 pounds of capsule

Sample of simple conversion (Basic Unit)
Convert the Length of 21mm of capsule
A. Meter (m) = x 21mm = 0.021meter of capsule

B. Centimeter (cm) = x 0.021meter = 2.1 cm of capsule

C. Inches (inch) = x 2.1 cm = 0.83 inch of capsule

Sample of simple conversion (Derived Unit)
Convert the Volume of 14 Liters of Alcohol
A. Cubic meter (m3) = x 14 Liters = 0.014 m3 of Alcohol

B. Cubic feet (ft3) = x 0.014 m3 = 0.495 of Alcohol

C. Gallon (gal) = x 14 Liters= 3.083 gallon of Alcohol

 Steps on how to perform Unit Analysis
1. Identify the unit of the problem to be solve
2. Let be the unknown unit be the numerator
3. Make the necessary conversion
4. Use the factor-label method to cancel out the unnecessary units
5. Compute the value
 Real life application Problems using Unit
Analysis
1. Compute the time needed in hours to finish 500,000 capsule if the speed of the
machine is 1500 capsule/min.
 Real life application Problems using Unit
Analysis
2. Compute for the estimated output of the blistering machine (in capsule) with a
target weight of 625 mg/capsule, if the total weight to be blister has a bulk of
232.5 kg of capsule.
x
 Real life application Problems using Unit
Analysis
3. Compute your current bills in a month if you have 3 pieces of 20 Watts light bulb
and Electric fan with 35 Watts both open for 8 hours a day. And the rate per
Kilowatt-hour is 7.67 pesos.
x 3 = 0.06 kW for light bulb
= 0.035 kW for electric fan
0.06 kW + 0.035 kW = 0.095 kW x 8 x = 22.8
= 22.8 x = 174.87
 Ratio and Proportion
 Ratio and proportion are mathematical concepts used to compare quantities and
establish relationships between them.

 It is a powerful tool in scaling up and down, estimation and prediction.

 Application of Ratio and Proportion
1. Compute the water needed to add for the 2 nd trial rework with 35 kg of powder, if
the 1st trial was 15 mL of water in 5 kg powder
=
Water in mL =
= 105 mL
Thank you for Listening! I hope you
learned something