In a 1:100 serial dilution, what is the concentration after two steps if starting concentration is 1000 units/mL?

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Multiple Choice

In a 1:100 serial dilution, what is the concentration after two steps if starting concentration is 1000 units/mL?

Explanation:
A 1:100 dilution means each step reduces the concentration to 1/100 of what it was. So with a starting concentration of 1000 units/mL, the first step gives 1000 × 1/100 = 10 units/mL, and the second step gives 10 × 1/100 = 0.1 units/mL. In total, two steps multiply the concentration by (1/100)² = 1/10,000, so 1000 ÷ 10,000 = 0.1 units/mL. The other numbers would result from different numbers of dilution steps or starting points, not from two 1:100 steps.

A 1:100 dilution means each step reduces the concentration to 1/100 of what it was. So with a starting concentration of 1000 units/mL, the first step gives 1000 × 1/100 = 10 units/mL, and the second step gives 10 × 1/100 = 0.1 units/mL. In total, two steps multiply the concentration by (1/100)² = 1/10,000, so 1000 ÷ 10,000 = 0.1 units/mL. The other numbers would result from different numbers of dilution steps or starting points, not from two 1:100 steps.

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