The word "alligation" is spelled with a double "l" in the middle. The first syllable is pronounced as "al" with a short "a" sound, indicated by the IPA symbol /æ/. The second syllable is pronounced as "li" with a long "i" sound, indicated by the IPA symbol /aɪ/. The final syllable is pronounced as "gation" with a short "a" sound, indicated by the IPA symbol /ən/. Alligation is a mathematical term used to calculate the ratio of two mixtures with different strengths.
Alligation is a mathematical method used to calculate the proportion of two or more components in a mixture or solution. It is commonly employed in pharmacy and chemistry to determine the concentration or strength of a compound by mixing different solutions of known concentrations. The aim is to find the precise quantity or ratio of each component that should be mixed together to obtain a desired concentration or strength.
The process of alligation involves creating a table or diagram where the solution with the highest concentration is represented at the top and the one with the lowest concentration is at the bottom. Each component's quantity is indicated under the corresponding solution. The difference in concentration between adjacent solutions is written in the middle column. By adding the quantities in each row and column, a relationship between the quantities and concentrations of the mixtures is established.
Alligation enables pharmacists and chemists to efficiently and accurately calculate the amount of each solution or compound required to achieve a desired concentration. It is particularly useful when diluting concentrated solutions to obtain solutions of lower concentrations.
Overall, alligation is a technique used in mathematical calculations to determine the proportions or ratios of different solutions or compounds necessary to achieve a desired quantity or concentration.
A rule in arithmetic for finding the value or price of any mixture.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "alligation" comes from the Latin term "alligatio", which means "a joining together" or "a binding". It is derived from the verb "alligare", which translates to "to tie" or "to bind". The term was originally used in the context of pharmacy and chemistry to refer to a method of mixing or joining together ingredients in specific proportions. Over time, the word "alligation" has also been used more broadly to describe the process of solving mathematical problems involving the mixture of different elements or components.