Question

How do you perform a serial dilution?

Answer 1

You do it by steps for better accuracy.

Explanation:

Example:
If I wanted a dilution of 1:100, I could measure out 1 mL and dilute it to 100 mL in one go. With the 1mL pipette I have the accuracy would be `+-0.05mL` at best, which is `5%`

If I first measure out `10mL +-0.05=0.5%` and dilute it to `100mL+-0.15=0.15%` in a measuring flask, and then take `10mL+-0.05=0.5%` out of this flask to another one of `100mL+-0.15=0.15%` again, my total inaccuracy will be `0.5+0.15+0.5+0.15=1.3%`