Chapter 1.3, Problem 27E

DRUG DOSAGES FOR CHILDREN A method sometime used by pediatricians to calculate the dosage of medicine for children is based in the child surface area. If $a$ denotes the adult dosage (in milligrams) and if $S$ is the child’s surface area (in square meters), then the child’s is given by $D\left(S\right)=\frac{Sa}{1.7}$ a. Show that the $D$ is a linear function of $S$. Hint: Think of D as having the form $D\left(S\right)=mS+b$. What are the slope $m$ and $y-$ intercept $b$? b. If the adult dose of a drug is $500\text{mg}$, how much should a child whose surface area is $0.4{\text{m}}^2$ receive?