i have a math teaser i want to see if you get it !?

Question

Decide if the situation requires an exact or estimated answer and explain your reasoning.
You are asked to determine the correct amount of liquid medicine to give to a sick baby panda if the directions say to give an amount based on the animal’s weight.

Answer 1

It will depend on the drug's wide or narrow therapeutic index. If the liquid medicine happens to have a narrow therapeutic index, then the amount will have to be as close to the proper amount as possible or toxicities will occur (if any), so you may want to go with the exact amount. If the drug has a wide therapeutic index, you have a bit more room for inacurracy.

Answer 2

Interesting that you consider that this is a math teaser and involves exactly zero math.

The situation does not require an exact or estimated amount. An exact amount implies that you are weighing the panda to an exact amount which is impossible. No amount of precision and no instrument accuracy will allow this.

An estimated amount implies that you are not taking any measurements and basing the dosage on visual cues.

The situation requires an APPROXIMATE solution. The directions are definitely going to give a range of weights e.g. 50-70 kg: 20 ml. A quick measurement of the panda on a mass scale will give the approximate result needed.

Answer 3

The situation requires an exact amount because usually when you are dealing with medicine on weight if you aren't exact you can overdose the 'subject' and therefore kill them.

Answer 4

Estimate and round the weight lower usually medicines that are specific to weight don't have partial pounds eg 122.2345 lbs should be rounded to 122 lbs.

Answer 5

you must give an estimated amout as the panda's weight will vary throught the day