1. What is Alligation Calculation?

Alligation is a method used in pharmacy to calculate the proportion of different concentrations needed to prepare a solution of intermediate concentration. It's particularly useful when mixing two solutions of different strengths to achieve a desired strength.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the alligation formula:

Where:

• \( High \) — Higher concentration solution (% or mg/mL)
• \( Desired \) — Target concentration (% or mg/mL)
• \( Low \) — Lower concentration solution (% or mg/mL)

Explanation: The result shows how many parts of each solution should be mixed to achieve the desired concentration.

3. Importance of Alligation in Pharmacy

Details: Alligation is essential for accurate compounding of medications, especially when preparing solutions of specific strengths from stock solutions of different concentrations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter concentrations in consistent units (% or mg/mL). Ensure high concentration > desired concentration > low concentration. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between alligation and dilution?
A: Alligation involves mixing two different concentrations, while dilution involves adding a diluent (usually water) to reduce concentration.

Q2: Can I use this for solid mixtures?
A: Yes, the same principle applies when mixing powders of different strengths to achieve an intermediate strength.

Q3: What if my desired concentration equals one of the inputs?
A: Then you don't need to mix - just use the solution that matches your desired concentration.

Q4: How precise should my measurements be?
A: Pharmaceutical compounding typically requires high precision - measure carefully and verify your calculations.

Q5: Can this be used for more than two concentrations?
A: For multiple concentrations, you would need to perform multiple alligation calculations sequentially.