Can someone help me with some math? (the metric system)

[Yeeny]

It's been a while since I have been in school, and I am now realizing what a problem this is. I am supposed to do math problems, changing L to kl and such, and even though I have gone over the instructions numerous times, and think I got it, I still keep getting the wrong answer. So maybe someone can show me what I am doing wrong? It's something to do with my placement of zeros..

Example:

647 mcg = ___ mg. (not one of my homework problems, just off the same page)

TIA if you can help, I know its probably very simple, its just been sooo long!

 

[WinkOsmosis]

what is an mcg??

 

[Viper GTS]

0.647?

Micro = 1/1,000,000
Milli = 1/1,000

1,000,000 / 1,000 = 1,000

Divide 647/1000.

The long way would be (write the fractions out in a line it will make more sense):

(647 mcg/1)*(1,000 mg / 1 g)*(1 g / 1,000,000 mcg)

All the units cancel except for mg, & you're left with:

640 * (1,000/1,000,000) * mg

Viper GTS

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: Yeeny
It's been a while since I have been in school, and I am now realizing what a problem this is. I am supposed to do math problems, changing L to kl and such, and even though I have gone over the instructions numerous times, and think I got it, I still keep getting the wrong answer. So maybe someone can show me what I am doing wrong? It's something to do with my placement of zeros..

Example:

647 mcg = ___ mg. (not one of my homework problems, just off the same page)

TIA if you can help, I know its probably very simple, its just been sooo long!

I think it's 0.647

Text

You taking some nursing classes?

 

[dmurray14]

you love google...google loves you

 

[fs5]

google is your friend
answer

 

[dmurray14]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
google is your friend
answer

I AM TEH WINNAR!!!

 

[Yeeny]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
google is your friend
answer

uh, thanks, but no, I really need to learn this on my own.

Cyberian, yes, I am becoming a nurse, and I am doing great in every one of my classes. Pharm is the only one driving me nuts.

 

[kt]

mcg = micrograms?
mg = milligrams

647 mcg = 0.647 mg

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: dmurray14

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
google is your friend
answer

I AM TEH WINNAR!!!

DOH!

 

[dmurray14]

Originally posted by: Yeeny

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
google is your friend
answer

uh, thanks, but no, I really need to learn this on my own.

Cyberian, yes, I am becoming a nurse, and I am doing great in every one of my classes. Pharm is the only one driving me nuts.

haha...well you asked for the answer?

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: Yeeny

Cyberian, yes, I am becoming a nurse, and I am doing great in every one of my classes. Pharm is the only one driving me nuts.

Good for you!!

Print out one of those Metric conversion tables and use it until it becomes familiar.

You'll do fine!!

 

[Yeeny]

Originally posted by: dmurray14

Originally posted by: Yeeny

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
google is your friend
answer

uh, thanks, but no, I really need to learn this on my own.

Cyberian, yes, I am becoming a nurse, and I am doing great in every one of my classes. Pharm is the only one driving me nuts.

haha...well you asked for the answer?

No.. I asked for help in how to do it actually. The formula in the book they gave me is just not cutting it, and I am not the only one having trouble with it.

 

[minendo]

Not really the metric system if mcg = microgram.

µg = microgram

 

[Viper GTS]

A lot of people have trouble with unit conversion.

The method I showed you takes a value and multiplies it by fractions that are equal to one:

1,000,000 mcg = 1g, so 1,000,000 mcg / 1g = 1

You don't change the value by multiplying by that fraction, but it allows you to cancel out units until you reach your desired unit. Then the rest is simple math.

The key is practice, this is just something to use until you understand the concepts. It can also be useful to keep yourself straight when converting between units that you don't know off the top of your head. For example, I don't know the exact ratio of kilometers & miles, but if I have one reference point that I DO know (2.54 cm = 1 in) you can convert between the two pretty easily.

(1 km / 1)*(1000 m / 1 km)*(100 cm / 1 m)*(1 in / 2.54 cm) * (1 ft / 12 in)*(1 mi / 5280 ft)

Viper GTS

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: minendo
Not really the metric system if mcg = microgram.

µg = microgram

Quite possibly not technically a metric unit, but it is used widely in pharmacology.

 

[Anubis]

google calculator!!!!!!!

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&q=647+mcg+in+mg&btnG=Google+Search

 

[Spencer278]

the way the teach changing units is using the factor label method it is what viperGTS if you google for it I'm sure you can see more examples. The key to dealing with units is to ensure that you put them on every value and cancel them out correctly.

 

[911paramedic]

Wait until you start figuring out dopamine drips...


EDIT: Hmmm, now that I think about it you may not have to do that in nursing school.