Lab Math

Accuracy:

Closeness of a result to the true value

Analytical grade:

The most pure grade of chemical

Blank Solutions:

Are used to ensure that the results obtained in the lab reflect only the presence of the analyte and not some other factor

Blind patient control:

Used in place or addition to a commercial control

Calibration:

The process of checking, using standard

solutions, adjusting a method or instrument so it yields accurate results

Celcius:

measurement of temperature

Coefficient of Variation:

Shows variability between 2 different sets of values

Concentration:

Amount of 1 substance relative to the amount of another substance in a solution

Confidence Intervals:

The reference range is expressed using 2SD on either side of the mean, with 95% of the values falling above and below the mean.

Also referred to as confidence limits

Controls:

Material or solution with a known concentration of the analytes being measured

Dilution:

A weaker solution made from a stronger solution

Density:

Amount of matter per unit volume

Exponent:

Is used to indicate that a number must be multiplied by itself as many times as indicated by the exponent. Example 10^10, 10 is multiplied by itself 10 times

Fahrenheit:

measurement of temperature

Gaussian Curve:

Distribution of values around the mean

Gram:

unit of weight

Gram % Solution:

Percentage of gram weight in a solution

Levy-Jennings Chart:

Daily quality control record

Litre:

Base unit to measure volume

Mean:

Average calculated from a series of numbers