How_To_Be_Good_At_Math

178

Capacity

The amount of space inside a container is called its capacity. It is often used

to describe how much liquid can be held in a container such as a water bottle.

The capacity of a container is the maximum amount it can hold.

MEASUREMENT • CAPACITY MEASUREMENT • VOLUME

Look at this fish

tank. It has a

capacity of 50 l.

Capacity can be

measured in units

called millilitres (ml) and

litres (l). There are

1000 ml in 1 l.

Millilitres are used

to measure the size

of small containers like

a teacup (250 ml) or

teaspoon (5 ml).

Litres are used to

measure the sizes

of larger containers like

a large juice carton (1 l)

or a bath (80 l).

Converting litres and millilitres

Converting between litres and millilitres is easy.

To convert litres to millilitres, we multiply by 1000.

To go from millilitres to litres, we divide by 1000.

To convert 5 l to millilitres, we

multiply 5 by 1000. This gives

the answer 5000 ml.

To convert the other way, from

millilitres to litres, we divide

5000 ml by 1000, to give 5 l.

CAPACITY (litres)

50

40

30

20

10

0

Volume

is 50 l

Litr

es^ to^ millilitres

÷ 1000

× 1000

Millilitres to litres

5000 ml 5 l

178_179_Volume_and_Capacity.indd 178 29/02/2016 18:08