Suppose that a new pain-killing drug is being tested for safety and effectiveness in a variety of people. The recommended dosage for an average 5' 10", 170-pound man is 400 mg. The manufacturer claims that the minimum effective dose for a person of that size is 250 mg, and that anything over 1,500 mg could be lethal for them. Two of the patients in the test are a 6'4", 290-pound college football player recovering from a major injury, and a 4' 6", 70-pound girl being treated for sickle-cell disease. According to the manufacturer, dosages for this drug are proportional to body weight.
1. What would be the dosage be for each patient?
2. If the medications are mixed up and the recommended dosage for the football player is given to the child, is she in danger of dying?
3. Would the child's recommended dosage be at all effective for the football player?
