Question

How many kilograms of oseltamivir would be needed to treat all the people in a city with a population of 400000 people if each person consumes two oseltamivir capsules a day for 5 days? Express your answer to one significant figures and include the appropriate units.

Oseltamivir, C16H28N2O4, is a drug that is used to treat influenza. The preparation of oseltamivir begins with the extraction of shikimic acid from the seedpods of star anise. From 2.6 g of star anise, 0.13 g of shikimic acid can be obtained and used to produce one capsule containing 75 mg of oseltamivir. The usual adult dosage for treatment of influenza is two capsules of oseltamivir daily for 5 days.

Answer 1

300 kg

Step-by-step explanation:

The number of people in the city, p = 400,000

The number of capsules of oseltamivir each person consumes per day, n = 2 capsules

The number of days each person consumes the oseltamivir capsules, t = 5 days

The mass of oseltamivir in each capsule, m = 75 mg

The mass of oseltamivir needed to treat all the people in the city, M, is given as follows;

M = n·t·m·p

∴ M (in milligrams) = (2 × 5 × 75 × 400,000) mg = 300,000,000 mg

1,000,000 mg = 1 kg

∴ 300,000,000 mg = 300 kg

The mass of oseltamivir needed to treat all the people in the city, M = 300 kg