Basic Mathematics for College Students

Define American units of capacity.

The American system of measurement uses the units ofounce, cup, pint, quart,and
gallonto measure capacity. These units are related as follows.

The Language of Mathematics The wordcapacitymeans the amount that

can be contained. For example, a gas tank might have a capacityof 12 gallons.

American Units of Capacity

1 cup (c)8 fluid ounces (fl oz) 1 pint (pt)2 cups

1 quart (qt)2 pints 1 gallon (gal)4 quarts

The abbreviation for each unit is written within parentheses.

Convert from one American unit of capacity to another.

To convert units of capacity in the American system of measurement, we use the
following unit conversion factors. Each conversion factor shown below is a form of 1.

7

6

5.3 American Units of Measurement 449

To perform the conversion, we multiply.

Write 25 lb as a fraction: 25 lb . Then multiply by a

form of 1:.

Simplify.

Multiply: 25  16 400.

25 pounds is equal to 400 ounces.

 400 oz

 25 #16 oz

Remove the common units of pounds from the numerator

 (^) and denominator. Notice that the units of ounces remain.
25 lb
1



16 oz

1 lb

16 oz

1 lb^

25 lb

25 lb25 lb^1

1

#16 oz

1 lb

Use the unit Use the unit

To convert conversion To convert conversion

from factor from factor

cups to ounces ounces to cups

pints to cups cups to pints

quarts to pints pints to quarts

gallons to quarts 1 gal4 qt quarts to gallons 1 gal4 qt

1 qt

2 pt

2 pt

1 qt

1 pt

2 c

2 c

1 pt

1 c

8 fl oz

8 fl oz

1 c

25

 16

150

250

400