1. What is Dilution Factor?

The dilution factor (DF) is a ratio that describes how much a solution has been diluted. It represents the factor by which the original solution has been diluted to prepare the final solution.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution factor formula:

Where:

• \( DF \) — Dilution factor (dimensionless)
• \( V_f \) — Final volume after dilution (mL)
• \( V_i \) — Initial volume before dilution (mL)

Explanation: The formula calculates how many times the original solution has been diluted by comparing the final volume to the initial volume.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor

Details: The dilution factor is crucial in cell counting procedures as it allows researchers to calculate the original cell concentration from the counted concentration in the diluted sample.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both initial and final volumes in mL. Both values must be positive numbers. The final volume should be greater than the initial volume for proper dilution.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a dilution factor of 10 mean?
A: A DF of 10 means the original sample was diluted 10 times (e.g., 1 mL sample + 9 mL diluent).

Q2: How do I calculate original cell concentration from diluted count?
A: Multiply the counted cell concentration by the dilution factor to get the original concentration.

Q3: What's the difference between dilution factor and dilution ratio?
A: Dilution factor is a mathematical ratio (Vf/Vi), while dilution ratio describes the parts (e.g., 1:9 means 1 part sample + 9 parts diluent).

Q4: Can dilution factor be less than 1?
A: No, proper dilution always results in DF ≥ 1. A DF < 1 would imply concentration rather than dilution.

Q5: How does serial dilution affect the total dilution factor?
A: For serial dilutions, multiply the individual dilution factors to get the total dilution factor.