Science & STEM

Serial Dilution Practice Problems Quiz

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This quiz helps you tackle serial dilution practice problems, compute tube-by-tube factors, and check your setup before lab or exams. If you need a refresh on solution basics, try the solutions practice test, then build pH intuition with buffer solution practice problems. To tighten measurements that affect dilutions, see the accuracy and precision quiz.

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1What is the dilution factor when you dilute 1 mL of stock solution into 9 mL of diluent?
2If a solution is diluted to 10^-3 of its original concentration, what percentage of the original concentration remains?
3How would you prepare a 1/100 (10^-2) dilution using a single transfer?
4How many times more dilute is a 10^-6 dilution compared to a 10^-3 dilution?
5You need to prepare a 10^-5 dilution by performing consecutive 1:10 dilutions. How many serial dilution steps are required?
6After performing 1:10 serial dilutions across multiple tubes, the sample in the fourth tube has what overall dilution factor?
7If you transfer 0.5 mL of sample into 4.5 mL diluent for each 1:10 dilution, how many rounds are needed to achieve a 10^-6 dilution?
8To prepare 1 mL of 10^-4 M from a 1 M stock, which dilution scheme is correct?
9What is the overall dilution factor when you perform a 1:5 dilution followed by a 1:20 dilution?
10To achieve a 10^-7 dilution using a combination of 1:100 and 1:10 steps, which sequence is appropriate?
11If 80 colonies are counted from plating 0.1 mL of a 10^-6 dilution, what is the CFU/mL in the original sample?
12To obtain 2 mL of a 10^-3 solution from stock, which pipetting protocol is correct?
13If each pipetting step has a relative error of 1%, what is the approximate total error after five serial 1:10 dilutions?
14A sample is serially diluted 1:7, then 1:5, then 1:2. You plate 0.2 mL from the final dilution and count 50 colonies. What is the original concentration in CFU/mL?
Learning Goals

Study Outcomes

  1. Calculate Dilution Factors -

    Apply mathematical formulas to determine the dilution factor at each step in a serial dilution practice problems scenario.

  2. Prepare Serial Dilution Series -

    Execute accurate pipetting and mixing techniques to construct a series of dilutions from a stock solution.

  3. Analyze Solution Concentrations -

    Interpret the resulting concentrations in each tube and confirm they meet the target values.

  4. Troubleshoot Experimental Errors -

    Identify common sources of error in serial dilution problems and implement corrective measures to improve accuracy.

  5. Evaluate Lab Technique Precision -

    Assess your pipetting consistency and precision when tackling serial dilutions practice problems in a lab setting.

  6. Interpret Practice Quiz Results -

    Review quiz feedback to understand your strengths and areas for improvement in serial dilution practice problems.

Study Guide

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master the C1V1 = C2V2 Formula -

    All serial dilution practice problems hinge on the formula C1V1 = C2V2, so practice rearranging it to solve for either V1 or C2 when you know the other three variables. For example, to make 5 mL of a 1:50 dilution from a 10 mM stock, calculate V1 = (C2×V2)/C1 = (0.2 mM×5 mL)/10 mM = 0.1 mL. Keep the mnemonic "copy the concentration and swap the volumes" handy for your next quiz.

  2. Calculate Cumulative Dilution Factors -

    In serial dilutions practice problems, obtain the total dilution by multiplying each step's individual factor (e.g., two 1:10 steps give 1:100, since 10 × 10 = 100). This "chain them, multiply them" approach is key when you design multi-step assays in university protocols. Remembering that a 1:2 followed by a 1:5 equals a 1:10 overall can save you time and errors in the lab.

  3. Optimize Pipetting Technique -

    Accurate pipetting is critical in serial dilution problems; always pre-wet tips by aspirating and dispensing the solution three times to ensure consistent volume delivery. Choose a pipette whose range centers on your target volume (for instance, use a P100 for transfers of 20 - 100 µL) to minimize relative error. These tips, drawn from reputable university lab guides, boost your confidence in every pipetting step.

  4. Design Clear Dilution Schemes -

    Select a dilution pattern - commonly 2-fold, 5-fold or 10-fold - based on your assay's sensitivity and concentration range. A 10-fold series (1:10, 1:100, 1:1000…) can be memorized as "ten, hundred, thousand!" to reinforce consistency in practice serial dilution problems. Sketching your tube layout on paper first helps prevent mix-ups and ensures full coverage of desired concentrations.

  5. Interpret Data with Logarithmic Plots -

    Plotting the log of concentration against your measured signal linearizes many dose - response relationships, making parameter extraction like EC50 straightforward, per NIH and journal protocols. Label axes clearly to match your serial dilutions practice problems and ensure reproducibility. This graphing approach turns complex dilution data into intuitive straight lines for easier analysis.

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Updated Feb 21, 2026