Question

What is the dilution factor if a 200 µL sample is diluted by adding 500 µL and then 300 µL of solvent?

Answer 1

The dilution factor is 5.

Explanation:

The dilution factor `"DF"` is given by

`color(blue)(|bar(ul(color(white)(a/a) "DF" = V_f/V_i color(white)(a/a)|)))" "`

where

`V_f = "final volume" = "200 µL + 500 µL + 300 µL" = "1000 µL"`

`V_i = "sample volume" = "200 µL"`

∴ `"DF" = (1000 cancel("µL"))/(200 cancel("µL")) = 5`

You have diluted the sample by a factor of 5.

Your `"DF"` is 5.

The volume of reagent does not affect the dilution factor in any special way. It simply contributes to the final volume.