a certain medicine is given in an amount proportional to a patient's body weight supposed patient weighing 104 lb requires 130 milligrams of medicine what is the weight of a patient requires 278. 75 mg of Medicine

Remark

This question requires a proportion. We will set the body weight on top and the medicine on the bottom. That way the body weight (x) is in the numerator of one of the ratios.

Givens

Body weight1 = BW1 = 104

Medicine 1 = med1 = 130

Body Weight 1 = x

Medicine 2 = 278.74

Formula

BW2 / Med2 = BW1 / Med1

Sub and Solve

x / 278.75 = 104/130 Calculate the right side

x / 278.75 = 0.8 Multiply both sides by 278.75

x = 278.75 * 0.8 = 223

Conclusion

The Patient must have weighed 223 pounds.