# Who came up with C1V1 = C2V2? [closed]

I was wondering if there is an original scientific publication showing why $$C_1V_1 = C_2V_2$$ works.

Or perhaps, who described/used it first?

• Maybe this would be better asked on History of Science and Mathematics. – Martin - マーチン Sep 6 '20 at 13:18
• This is probably the extension of the definition of the word "concentration" which was probably used already in the Middle Age, with masses of course (instead of moles}.There is probably no original scientific publication of the definition of the concentration. – Maurice Sep 6 '20 at 13:36
• Very difficult to find out because this formula is a special case of general mass balance equations. We will have to find who came up with mass balance equation? – M. Farooq Sep 6 '20 at 14:03
• Even the ancient merchants realized 10 sacks with 50 coins each means 500 coins and that if you put 100 coins into a sack then 5 sacks is enough. Why to scientifically show that it works, when everyday life showed it almost 2000 years ago ? – Poutnik Sep 7 '20 at 10:20
• I’m voting to close this question because this is a history question, not a chemistry one. – Jan Sep 24 '20 at 11:36

By definition: $$C = \frac{n}{V}$$, thus $$n = CV$$. If you dilute with pure solvent, you don't change the amount of solute that you have, in other words: $$n_1 = n_2$$. Using the previous equation, you get $$C_1V_1 = C_2V_2$$.