This is done experimentally using polymers of known molecular weight fractions to cover as wide a range as possible. The intrinsic viscosity is determined for each fraction and a graph of Log10 [Intrinsic Viscosity] against Log10 [Molecular Weight] is plotted as illustrated below:
If a = 1 then Mv = Mw Ifa = -1 then Mv = Mn
Since in practice a lies between 0.6 and 0.8, Mv normally lays between Mw and Mn, being much closer to Mw.