If a 500 mg tablet is split into thirds, how much medication is in each piece?

To determine the amount of medication in each piece when a 500 mg tablet is split into thirds, you start by dividing the total amount of medication by the number of pieces. In this case, you take the 500 mg and divide it by 3, as the tablet is split into three equal parts.

When you perform this calculation:

[

500 , \text{mg} \div 3 = 166.67 , \text{mg}

]

This result indicates that each piece contains approximately 166.67 mg of medication.

This is pertinent in medical settings because accurate dosing is crucial for patient safety and effective treatment. Knowing how to calculate portions of medication accurately ensures that patients receive the appropriate amount of medication, especially in cases where full tablets cannot be swallowed or where precise dosing is required for efficacy and safety.