Basic Mathematics for College Students

Define metric units of capacity.

In the metric system, one basic unit of capacity is theliter

(L), which is defined to be the capacity of a cube with

sides 10 centimeters long. Other units of capacity are

created by adding prefixes to the front of the basic unit,

liter.

10 cm

10 cm

10 cm

7

464 Chapter 5 Ratio, Proportion, and Measurement

Metric Units of Capacity

Prefix kilo- hecto- deka- deci- centi- milli-

liter liter liter liter liter liter liter

Meaning 1,000 100 10 1 or 0.1 or 0.01 or 0.001

liters liters liters liter of a liter of a liter of a liter

Abbreviation kL hL daL L dL cL mL

1

1,000

1

100

1

10

The most often used metric units of capacity are liters and milliliters. Here are

some examples.

Metric units of capacity are related as shown in the following table.

Metric Units of Capacity

1 kiloliter (kL) 1,000 liters 1 liter 10 deciliters (dL)

1 hectoliter (hL) 100 liters 1 liter 100 centiliters (cL)

1 dekaliter (daL) 10 liters 1 liter 1,000 milliliters (mL)

The abbreviation for each unit is written within parentheses.

We can use the information in the table to write unit conversion factors that can

be used to convert metric units of capacity. For example, in the table we see that

From this fact, we can write two unit conversion factors.

1,000 mL

1 L

and  1

1 L

1,000 mL

 1

1 liter1,000 milliliters

A teaspoon holds

about 5 milliliters.

The fuel tank of a minivan

can hold about 75 liters

of gasoline.

Soft drinks are

sold in 2-liter

plastic bottles.

PREMIUM$$ Teaspoon

COLA