Measuring Capacity

Through the concept of measuring capacity, we get knowledge about the volume of the objects. Here students will learn to convert ml to l.
In this learning concept, the students will also learn to

• Classify the capacity measurement units.
• Comparing units of measurement.
• Identify how to find the volume.

Each concept is explained to class 4 maths students using illustrations, examples, and mind maps. Students can assess their learning by solving the two printable worksheets given at the page’s end.

Download the measurement of capacity worksheets for class 4 and check the solutions to the measuring of capacity questions for class 4 provided in PDF format.

What Is Capacity?

The capacity is defined as the amount that a container can hold.

In ancient times, the capacity of a container was measured using other small containers.

Examples:

3 small glasses of water is required to fill the jug. Therefore, the capacity of the jug is equal to the capacities of 3 small glasses.

Volume: The measurement of capacity is known as volume.

Capacity Measurement Units:

The volume is measured in millilitres and litres.

Above picture shows that the measuring cup can hold 2000 ml of liquid. Therefore, the capacity of the cup is 2000 mL.

Milliliters: A Milliliter is the unit to measure small amount of liquid. When a container can hold less amount of liquid, then the capacity is measured in Milliliters.

The symbol that represents Millilitres is “ml” or “mL”.

Liters: When a container can hold large amount of liquid, then the capacity is measured in Litres.

The symbol that represents Litres is “L”.

Convert ML to L:

Conversion Unit of Capacity

• When we convert a smaller unit to a larger unit we divide. To convert mL to L we divide it by 1000.
• When we convert a larger unit to a smaller unit we multiply. To convert L to mL we multiply it by 1000.

Examples 1:

Convert 50 L to mL.

Solution:

To convert L to mL we multiply by 1000.

Therefore, multiply 50 by 1000 to convert 50 L to mL.

50 × 1000 = 50,000

Hence, 50 L = 50,000 mL.

Examples 2:

Convert 2000 mL to L.

Solution:

To convert mL to L we divide by 1000.

Therefore, divide 2000 by 1000 to convert 2000 mL to L.

2000 ÷ 1000 = 2

Hence, 2000 mL = 2 L.

Comparing Capacity Measurement Units:

When two or more quantities with are compared then two conditions may arise:

1. The units are the same
2. The units are different.

The Units Are the Same: If the units are the same, then the quantity with the greater magnitude is larger.

Examples : Fill in the blanks with <,>, =

278 mL _____ 287 mL.

Solution:

Both are in same units. So, we will compare the magnitude.

Now, 287 is greater than 278, 278 < 287.

Therefore, 287 mL is greater than 278 mL.

278 mL < 287 mL.

The units are different: If the units are different then, we first convert them to the same unit and then compare the magnitude.

Example: Fill in the blanks with <,>, =

158 mL _____ 0.6 L.

Solution:

Both are in different units. So, we will first convert it to the same unit.

We know that to convert L to mL we multiply by 1000.

Multiply 0.6 by 1000 to convert 0.6 L to mL.

0.6 × 1000 = 600 mL

Now, we will compare 158 mL and 600 mL.

600 is greater than 158, 158 < 600.

Therefore, 600 mL is greater than 158 mL.

158 mL < 600 mL or 158 mL < 0.6 L.

Operations on measurement of capacity

Addition Word Problems for Class 4

The two ways of addition are:

1. By conversion
2. Without conversion

By conversion:

We first convert the given addends to single unit.

Example:

Add 7 L 546 mL and 3 L 273 mL

Solution:

Step 1: First convert 7 L 546 mL to mL.

7 L 546 mL = 7 × 1000 mL + 546 mL = 7000 + 546 mL = 7546 mL

Step 2: Convert 3 L 273 mL to mL.

3 L 273 mL = 3 × 1000 mL + 273 mL = 3000 + 273 mL = 3273 mL

Step 3: Now add 7546 mL and 3273 mL.

Step 4:Now convert 10,819 mL to L and mL.

We know 1 L = 1000 mL.

Divide 10,819 by 1000 to convert it litres.

10,819 ÷ 1000 = 10.819

10.819 L = 10 L and 819 mL

Therefore, the answer is 10 L and 819 mL

Without the Conversion:

Examples:

Add 8 L 367 mL and 3 L 273 mL

Solution:

Arrange the measurements in columns according to their units and then add.

Therefore, the answer is 11 L 640 mL.

Subtraction Word Problems for Class 4:

The two ways of subtraction are:

1. By conversion
2. Without conversion

By conversion:

Examples:

Subtract 7 L 546 mL from 9 L 273 mL

Solution:

Step 1: First convert 7 L 546 mL to mL.

7 L 546 mL = 7 × 1000 mL + 546 mL = 7000 + 546 mL = 7546 mL

Step 2: Convert 9 L 273 mL to mL.

9 L 273 mL = 9 × 1000 mL + 273 mL = 9000 + 273 mL = 9273 mL

Step 3: Now subtract 7546 mL from 9273 mL.

Step 4: Now convert 1727 mL to L and mL.

Now convert 1727 mL to L and mL.

Divide 1727 by 1000 to convert it litres.

1727 ÷ 1000 = 1.727

1727 L = 1 L and 727 mL

Therefore, the answer is 1 L and 727 mL

Without the conversion:

Examples:

Add 3 L 284 mL from 5 L 145 mL

Solution:

Arrange the measurements in columns according to their units and then subtract.

Therefore, the answer is 1 L 861 mL.