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Student Learning Advisory Service AT A GLANCE/
Contact us
PHARMACY CALCULATIONS
Please come and see us if you need any academic advice or
C1V1 = C2V2
guidance.
Using proportional sets to calculate equivalent amounts,
Canterbury strengths and substitutes.
Our offices are next to Santander Bank

Open
Monday to Friday, 09.00 – 17.00
E: learning@kent.ac.uk
T: 01227 824016

Medway
We are based in room G0-09, in the Gillingham Building
and in room DB034, in the Drill Hall Library.

Open
Monday to Friday, 09.00 – 17.00
E: learningmedway@kent.ac.uk
T: 01634 888884
The Student Learning Advisory Service (SLAS) is part of the
Unit for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (UELT)
Acknowledgments
All materials checked by Dr Scott Wildman, Dr Cleopatra
Branch, Jerome Durodie and Andrew Lea, Medway School of
Pharmacy, Anson Building, Central Avenue, Chatham
Maritime, Chatham, Kent. ME4 4TB.
This leaflet has been produced in conjunction with sigma
Network for Excellence in Mathematics and Statistics Support
Proportional sets
C1V1=C2V2 is used to calculate an unknown quantity where
two solutions/mixtures are proportional …
C1V1 = Concentration/amount (start) and Volume (start)
C2V2 = Concentration/amount (final) and Volume (final)
1. Amounts
Calculating how much ingredient is contained in a different
volume of the same concentration.
Example 1
If a 300mL bottle of a product contains 15g of ingredient A,
how much will contained in a 5mL spoonful?
Method

kent.slas Step 1: Use c1/v1= c2/v2

15 𝑥(𝑔)
@unikentSLAS =
300 5
www.kent.ac.uk/learning
 Step 2: Transpose for x and solve Step 2: Transpose for x and solve
100
𝑥=
15 × 5
300
= 𝟎. 𝟐𝟐𝟐  𝑥=
0.25
= 400 = 1 part in 400 
Example 2 3. Substitute Quantities
If a 15mL dose of a product contains 300mg of ingredient B, Calculate the quantity of a concentration needed to
how much will be contained in 500mL ? produce a different final desired concentration and volume
(a serial dilution).
Method
Example 1
Step 1: Use c1/v1= c2/v2
How much 10% solution is needed to make up 500mL of a
300 𝑥 (𝑚𝑚) 2% solution?
=
15 500
Method
NB: In this case we use C1 x V1 = C2 x V2
Step 2: Transpose for x and solve
300 × 500 Step 1: Use c1 x v1= c2 x v2
𝑥=
15
= 10,000𝑚𝑚 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏 
2 × 500 = 10 × 𝑥 (mL)
2. Equivalent Strengths
Converting from one measure of strength to another. Step 2: Transpose for x and solve
Example 1 2 × 500
What is 1 part in 20 expressed as a percentage?
𝑥=
10
= 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 
Method
Example 2
Step 1: Use c1/v1= c2/v2 How much 5% solution is needed to make up 80ml of a
1 𝑥 0.4% solution?
=
20 100 Method

Step 1: Use c1 x v1= c2 x v2

Step 2: Transpose for x and solve
100 0.4 × 80 = 5 × 𝑥 (mL)
𝑥=
20
= 𝟓𝟓 
Example 2 Step 2: Transpose for x and solve
0.4 × 80
What is 0.25% expressed as a ratio strength? 𝑥=
5
= 𝟔. 𝟒𝟒𝟒 
Method

Step 1: Use c1/v1= c2/v2

0.25 1
=
100 𝑥