Chapter 17, Problem 65E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The recommended dose of ibuprofen in millimetres for a child is to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Dimensional analysis is used to set up and solve a unit conversion problem using conversion factors. Dimensional analysis is a way to convert units of measurement. In order to convert from one unit to another, the relationship between those units is to be known. These relationships are called conversion factors.

To perform a conversion between 2 units, a quantity given in a particular unit is converted into another unit. This type of conversion is as follows:

$\left(\text{quantity given}\right)\times \left(\text{conversion factor}\right)=\left(\text{quantity sought}\right)$

A conversion factor is a fraction in which the numerator is the unit into which the quantity is to be converted and the denominator is the unit from which it is converted.