Solving the Dilemma: Taking 2 Different Pills Every Day

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around a critical problem of taking two different pills, Pill A and Pill B, without knowing which is which. The solution proposed involves splitting each of the four pills into halves, resulting in two halves of Pill A and two halves of Pill B. By consuming one half of each type of pill, the individual ensures they take the correct dosage without exceeding the limit of one pill of each type per day. This method effectively mitigates the risk of overdose while adhering to the doctor's instructions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic pharmacology and dosage requirements
  • Knowledge of pill identification and differentiation techniques
  • Familiarity with risk management in medication adherence
  • Basic problem-solving skills in medical scenarios
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods for pill identification and differentiation
  • Learn about medication management strategies for complex regimens
  • Explore risk assessment techniques in pharmacology
  • Investigate case studies on medication errors and their resolutions
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and patients managing complex medication regimens who need to understand safe practices in pill consumption and dosage management.

paulmdrdo1
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The doctor told you to take 2 different kind of pills (Pill A, Pill B) for ten days everyday. Both pills look exactly the same (same weight, color, shape, size, etc…;).
If you take more than 1 pill of the same kind per day, you will die. Furthermore, if you do not take 1 Pill A, and 1 Pill B every day, you will also die.
One day, you got distracted and by mistake put 3 pills on the table 2 B pills and one A pill and you don't know which is which.

How can you survive?

I've already searched for the solution to this problem.
Adding 1 pill A to the 3 unknown pills and split each pill in half. Thus having a balanced dose.
Half of those you take and save the other half for the next day.

I still don't get it. Because there is still a posibility that I might take more dose of one pill than the other.

What you think?
 
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Hi paulmdrdo!

So we have 2 pills A and 2 pills B and do not know which is which.
If we take half of each pill and discard the other half, we will have 2 half pills A and 2 half pills B, won't we?
Swallowing all of those gives us 1 dose of pill A and 1 dose of pill B.
 
I like Serena said:
Hi paulmdrdo!

So we have 2 pills A and 2 pills B and do not know which is which.
If we take half of each pill and discard the other half, we will have 2 half pills A and 2 half pills B, won't we?
Swallowing all of those gives us 1 dose of pill A and 1 dose of pill B.

We have 4 pills in total. Splitting each pill into half we will have 4 half B pills and 4 half A pills. Since we don't know which is which, there is a posibility that you might take 3 half pills B and 1 half pill A or 3 half pills A and 1 half pill B or 4 half pills B or 4 half Pills A.
 
paulmdrdo said:
We have 4 pills in total. Splitting each pill into half we will have 4 half B pills and 4 half A pills. Since we don't know which is which, there is a posibility that you might take 3 half pills B and 1 half pill A or 3 half pills A and 1 half pill B or 4 half pills B or 4 half Pills A.
We have a total of $4$ pills. When we divide a pill in half, we keep one half with us and give the other half to our friend. We do this one by one for each pill. In the end we will be left be two halves of pill A and two halves of pill B.
 

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