Pharm Tech Math Decimals

Role of Math in Pharmacy

Essential for patient safety & pharmacy operations

Used for calculating dosages, determining medication quantities, managing inventory, handling costs

What’s this place value (1)2.345?

tens place

What’s this place value 1(2).345

ones place

What’s this place value 12(3).45?

tenths place

What’s this place value 12.3(4)5?

hundredths place

What’s this place value 12.34(5)?

Thousandths place

Why should you always write 0 before the decimal?

• Prevents misreading, e.g., write 0.8 instead of .8

Key Takeaways for Using Decimals in Pharmacy

• Understand decimal place value

• Always place 0 before decimal

• Align decimal points for addition & subtraction

• Common applications: money & dosages

What is a decimal used for?

To measure small amounts (e.g., hair width = 0.04 mm, ant length = 0.75 cm)

How do numbers to the right of the decimal point behave?

They decrease by 10× each place (tenths → hundredths → thousandths → ten-thousandths)

What are the three parts of a decimal number?

1. Whole number (before decimal), 2. Decimal point, 3. Fractional part (after decimal)

How do you read a decimal number?

1. Read the whole number. 2. Say “and” at the decimal. 3. Read digits after decimal. 4. End with the place value of the last digit (with “-ths”)

How do you read 2.54?

“2 and 54 hundredths”

How do you read 0.0363?

“0 and 363 ten-thousandths”

How do you read 72.4?

“72 and 4 tenths”