Commonly Used Formulas

The Exposure Maintenance Formula: The exposure maintenance formula was created to adjust the mAs
depending on the adjustment of distance. If the distance is increased then the mAs will increase as well.

mAs1/mAs2 = D12/D22

This equation shows that there is a direct relationship between mAs and distance. For example, if
distance is decreased from 72 to 40 and the original mAs was 3, what should the new mAS be:

3/mAs2 = 722/402

3/mAs2 = 5184/1600

The new mAs will be 0.93

The Relative Speed Formula: The relative speed formula is used when doing conversions to find the new
mAs when using different film screen speeds.

mAs1/mAs2 = RS2/RS1

This equation shows that there is an indirect relationship between mAs and film screen speed, meaning
that when the film screen speed is increased mAs is decreased and vice versa. If we begin with a mAs of
20 and a film screen speed of 80, what will the mAs need to be adjusted to when a film screen speed of
200 is used:

20/mAs2 = 200/80

200mAs2 = 1600

The new mAs will be 8

The Magnification Factor: The magnification factor is used to determine the amount of size distortion
that has occurred when there has been an increase or decrease in OID.

M = SID/SOD

This equation shows that if there is a decrease in SOD (an increase in OID) then there is an increase in
magnification, and if there is an increase in SOD (a decrease in OID) then there in a decrease in
magnification. If the IR is 40 inches from the source and the object is 6 inches from the IR then the
magnification factor is:

M = 40/34

The magnification factor is 1.18

The Generator Conversion Factor: This conversion is used when converting to a high frequency
generator from a 1 phase two pulse generator, or vice versa.
 mAs2 = mAs1 x conversion factor

Generator Phase Conversion Factor

12p to high frequency 0.5
High frequency to 12p 2.0

This equation shows that when using a higher frequency generator less mAs will need to be used. When
using a mAs of 16 with high frequency generator and switching to a 1 phase 12 pulse generator the new
mAs will be:

mAs2 = 16 x 2

The new mAs will be 32

Grid Conversion Factor: The grid conversion factor is used when using different grid ratios for exposures,
it is designed to be able to create the same exposure when using different grids/mAs.

mAs1/mAs2 = GCF1/GCF2

Grid Ratio Grid Conversion Factor

No Grid 1
5:1 2
6:1 3
8:1 4
12:1 5
16:1 6

This equation shows that when using a grid with a higher grid ratio a higher mAs will need to be used. If
an exposure is made with no grid at 12.75 mAs, what will the mAs be if an 8:1 grid is used?

12.75/mAs2 = 1/4

mAs2 = 51

K Factor: The K factor is the indication that the contrast within an image has been improved.

K = Contrast with grid/Contrast without grid

If there is a K factor of 1 then there was no change in contrast, as the K factor increases then the
contrast when using a grid has increased.

Penumbra Factor: This equation measures the amount of penumbra that is seen on an image. This is
determinant on the focal spot size used as well as the SID and OID.

P = (Focal spot size x OID)/SOD

If a focal spot size of 1.0mm is used, at a distance of 72 and the OID of 6 how many millimeters will the
penumbra be?

P = (1 x 6)/72

P = 0.08mm

This shows that a smaller focal spot will produce less penumbra; it also shows how SID and OID affect
penumbra as well. If there is an increase in distance then there will be less penumbra, if there is a
decrease in OID then there will also be less penumbra.

Fluoroscopy Formulas

Magnification Factor: The magnification factor that is used for fluoroscopy is determined by the screen
diameter.

M = input screen diameter/diameter if input screen used during magnification

If an input screen diameter begins at 27cm and a magnification diameter of 23cm is used, what is the
magnification on the fluoroscopic image?

M = 27/23

M = 1.17

Minification Gain: The minification gain is a number that is measured by the number of electrons that
are produced at the input and used at the output screens. The area of each screen is calculated and then
the input is divided by the output.

Minification gain = input screen diameter2/output screen diameter2

If an input diameter of 12 and an output diameter of 1 was used, what is the minification gain?

Minification gain = 122/11

Minification gain is 144

Flux Gain: The flux gain is a measurement that is needed to find the brightness gain.

Flux gain = # of output light photons/# of x-ray photons at input

Brightness Gain/Conversion Factor: This is the overall measurement of the increase in intensity that the
II achieves.

Brightness Gain = Flux gain x Minification gain

If a minification gain of 144 and a flux gain of 50 is achieved then what is the total brightness gain?
 Brightness gain = 144 x 50

The total brightness gain is 7200