Capacity and weight · Usually met around P3
Litres and millilitres
First work out what one small step is.
How to do it
Method
First work out what one small step is
100 ÷ 2 = 50; 1 step above 300 = 350 mL
Another way
Count every step
50, 100, 150 … 350
In full
Litres (L) and millilitres (mL) measure capacity: 1 L = 1000 mL. A big bottle of water is about 1 L and a teaspoon about 5 mL — use litres for a lot and millilitres for a little. To read a measuring cup, see how far apart two numbered marks are and how many small steps lie between, so you know what one step is (100 ÷ 2 = 50 mL). Then find the mark at the water's surface and count up from the nearest number below: 1 step above 300 is 350 mL. Or count every step up from 0.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
A bathtub holds about 220 □ of water. Which unit goes in □?
- A. mL
- B. kg
- C. m
- D. L
Choose the right answer
Show the answer and working
Answer: D. L
A bathtub holds a lot, so use litres: about 220 L.
Example 2
How many millilitres of water are in the measuring cup?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 100 mL
The water reaches the 100 mark: 100 mL.
Example 3
How many millilitres of water are in the measuring cup?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 350 mL
Each 100 mL has 2 steps of 50 mL; the water is 1 step above the nearest number: 350 mL.
Practise it in the game →Capacity and weight · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download