This course was developed to prepare and sustain your
mathematical skills as a clinical laboratory technician.
The emphasis is upon computations related to solutions
and their concentrations.
After completing each set of lesson exercises,
compare your answers with those on the solution sheet
that follows the exercises. If you have answered an
exercise incorrectly, check the reference cited after
the answer on the solution sheet to determine why your
response was not the correct one.
Appendix
A appears at the bottom of this page.
APPENDIX A
REVIEW OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
1. Read the problem carefully. What is the problem
asking for? Be sure the entire problem has been read and
understood. This may require you to read the problem two
or three times. YOU CANNOT ANSWER THE PROBLEM IF YOU DO
NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS ASKING!
2 Determine exactly what results are to be produced
by the calculations.
3. Determine what principles and relationships are
involved.
4. Think about possible methods to use in solving the
problem.
5 Use the sample problems to help you set up and
solve the problem.
6. Based on definition, determine the appropriate
factors that allow you to solve for the unknown
quantity.
7. Once you have selected the appropriate factors for
that specific problem type, write them down on your
paper.
8. Units are treated the same as numbers in any
mathematical calculations.
9. Write the intermediate stages of the calculations
clearly. Avoid writing one number on top of another as a
method of correction. Make each digit legible. This will
allow you to go back and check your work later.
10. Mentally estimate an answer before working the
problem.
11. Do the mathematics involved and check your work.
Do not round off any intermediate calculations. Be
extremely careful in positioning the decimal point and
make certain the final answer has the appropriate number
of significant figures.
12. Cancel units. The units you have left should be
an appropriate unit for what the problem asked. Example:
If the problem asked for "How many grams," your final
answer should be in grams. If it is not, go back and
check your work. Often, all that is required is a simple
metric conversion.
13. Compare the calculated result with your estimated
answer. If the two figures disagree drastically,
determine which result is wrong.
14. Finally, go back and read the problem again. Did
you answer the question correctly and does your answer
make sense?
15. Ratio and proportion is consistent with and is
the basis of dimensional analysis. 16. Example problems
will serve as a reference to the various problem solving
techniques.
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