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Measure and compare capacity

Capacity describes how much liquid a container can hold, measured with standard units such as liters and milliliters; understanding includes estimating, reading marked scales, and recognizing that 1 liter equals 1,000 milliliters. Quantities are compared by expressing them in the same unit, rather than relying on a container’s height, width, or shape alone. The focus is on practical measurement and simple unit relationships, not volume formulas or complex multi-step conversions.

Detailed Explanation: Measure and compare capacity

Capacity tells us how much liquid a container can hold. To compare two capacities, write both amounts in the same unit. Remember:

1 liter=1,000 milliliters1\text{ liter}=1{,}000\text{ milliliters}

Example: A jug’s marked scale shows 11 liter and 250250 milliliters. A bottle holds 900900 milliliters. Which container holds more?

  1. Change the jug’s capacity to milliliters:

1 L=1,000 mL1\text{ L}=1{,}000\text{ mL} 1 L 250 mL=1,250 mL1\text{ L }250\text{ mL}=1{,}250\text{ mL}

  1. Compare the amounts:

1,250 mL>900 mL1{,}250\text{ mL}>900\text{ mL}

  1. Find how much more the jug holds:

1,250−900=350 mL1{,}250-900=350\text{ mL}

The jug holds more. It holds 350 milliliters more than the bottle.

Compare the numbers after changing them to the same unit. Do not decide by looking at the container’s height or shape.

Learn by doing: Measure and compare capacity

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    Measure Volume (milliliters) - Fives, Partly Marked

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