DUA INSTITUTE OF NURSING
UNIT II
MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
DIN, QASIMABAD, HYDERABAD
RATIOS AND PROPORTIONS
A ratio compares 2 quantities and can be written
as a fraction, 3 to 4 or ¾ .
4 quarters to 1 dollar is a ratio and can be
written 4/1 or 4:1.
Other familiar ratios are 60 minutes to 1 hour; 2
cups to 1 pint; 16 ounces to 1 pound.
RATIOS AND PROPORTIONS
A proportion is 2 ratios equal to each other.
4 quarters 8 quarters
1 dollar 2 dollars
This proportion can be read 4 quarters are to 1 dollar as
8 quarters are to 2 dollars.
o In a proportion, the products of cross multiplication are
equal.
BASIC STEPS
• There are 4 basic steps to solving proportion problems.
i. Set up a known ratio.
ii. Set up a proportion with known and desired units. Use
x for the quantity that is desired or unknown.
Be sure the units are the same horizontally.
Example: ounces ounces
pounds pounds
BASIC STEPS
iii. Cross multiply.
iv. Solve for x.
To solve a proportion problem such as 3 lbs. = ?
Ounces:
a. Set up a known ration of pounds to ounces.
1 lb. : 16 oz.
CONT.
b. Make a proportion using the known ratio on one side
and the desired ration on the other.
16 oz. X oz.
1 lb. 3 lbs.
c. Cross multiply. ( 1 × X = 16 × 3 )
d. Solve for x: 1 (x) = 16 × 3 >> X = 48
Therefore, 3 lbs. = 48 ounces.
CONT.
Another name for a ratio with numerator and
denominator of approximately the same value is a
conversion factor.
The ratios 4 quarters to 1 dollar and 2 pints to 1 quart
are conversion factors.
Systems of measure use conversion factors to change
from one unit to another.
MATRIC SYSTEM
The basic unit of weight in the matric system is the
gram (G or gm.).
The basic length is the meter (m) and,
The basic volume is the liter (l or L).
Matric measurement uses the decimal system as the
basis for its units.
The prefix of the unit identifies its decimal location and
value.
Micro (mc) = millionth T H T O T H T M
H U E N E U H I
Milli (m) = thousandths O N N E N N O L
U D S S T D U L
Centi (c) = hundredths S R H R S I
A E S E A O
Deci (d) = tenths N D D B D N N
D S E A T D T
Deka (da) = tens K S D H T H
A I E D H S
Hecto (h) = hundreds K H C C S
I E I
Killo (k) = thousands L C U C M M
L T N E I I
O O I N L C
T T L R
I I O
Larger Decimal P. Smaller
CONVERSION EXAMPLES .01
0.5 G = -------mg.
Solve: 1000mg x mg
1G 0.5 G
Cross Multiply: 1 × x = 1000 × 0.5
x = 500 mg
CONVERSION EXAMPLES .02
2000 mcg = ----------mg.
Solve: 1000 mcg 2000 mcg
1 mg x mg
Cross Multiply: 1000 × x = 1 × 2000
x = 2000/1000
x = 2 mg
CONVERSION IN HOUSEHOLD
SYSTEM
Household system:
The units of volume include drop (gtts),
teaspoon (tsp or t.), tablespoon (tbsp. or T)
and ounces (oz.)
i. 1 tsp = 60 gtts
ii. 1 tbsp. = 3 tsp.
iii. 1 oz. = 2 tbsp.
CONVERSION EXAMPLES .03
4 tsp. = ----------x gtts.
Solve: 60 gtts x gtts
1 tsp. 4 tsp.
Cross Multiply: 60 × 4 = 1 × x
240 = x
4 tsp. = 240 gtts
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
i. 7 kg = --------mg. v. 0.05 L = -------- ml.
ii. 2.5 gm = ------mg. vi. 5.07 kg = ------ gm.
iii. 0.5 ml = ------- L. vii. 00193 L = ----- ml.
iv. 1.34 kg = ------- mg. viii. 3.7 mg = ------- gm.
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
i. 2 tsp. = --------- gtt. iv. 5 tbsp. = -----
ii. 1 ½ tbsp. = ------ tsp. oz.
iii. 45 gtts = -------- tsp. v. 8 oz. = -------
tbsp.
vi. 12 tsp = --------
tbsp.