4.2 Capacity

Mathematics

Grade 5

Measurement and time

Module 53

Capacity

Capacity

Activity 1:

• To solve problems that include the selection of standard units [LO 4.5.2, 4.6]
• To measure accurately with the use of appropriate measuring instruments [LO 4.7.2]

DID YOU KNOW?

A liquid doesn’t have a particular shape, but takes on the shape of the container. We measure liquid in litres and millilitres. Large quantities are measured in kilolitres.

Do you still remember?

1 000 mℓ = 1 litres

1 000 litres = 1 kℓ

1. You have now seen in the sections on length and mass that we use different measuring units for different situations. In the same way we also use specific units to determine various types of capacity. In which measuring unit would you measure the content of the following?

1.1 eye drop .........................

1.2 petrol for Dad’s car .........................

1.3 a glass of fruit juice .........................

1.4 the dam that supplies water for your city? .........................

2. TO MAKE SURE OF AT HOME

2.1 A teaspoon can take ______ mℓ of liquid.

2.2 A medicine spoon can take ______ mℓ of liquid.

2.3 A tablespoon can take______ mℓ of liquid.

2.4 A teacup can take______ mℓ of liquid.

2.5 A coffee mug can take______ mℓ of liquid.

2.6 Dad’s car can take ______ litres of petrol in its tank.

2.7 Your swimming pool (if you have one) takes ______ kℓ water.

2.8 Your kettle holds______ litres of water

2.9 A small bottle of medicine takes______ mℓ

2.10 You bath in about ______ litres of water

3. Use the above answers to answer the following:

3.1 Every day Mom drinks five cups of tea. How many mℓ of tea is that? .....................

How many litres of tea does she drink daily? .....................

3.2 Dad drinks three mugs of coffee at work. How many mℓ of coffee is that? ..................

Write this as litres. .....................

• If you have to drink two teaspoonfuls at a time, how many times will

you be able to take medicine before the bottle is empty? .....................

DID YOU KNOW?

The biggest waterfalls in the world are the Bogoma falls in the Congo River. Every second 17 000 kℓ flow over the edge of this waterfall! Can you say how many litres of water this is per second?

Activity 2:

To solve problems that include selecting, calculating and converting standard units [LO 4.6]

1. Complete the following tables:

2. Increase the following capacities by 75 mℓ:

2.1: 4,325 litres

2.2: 2,500 litres

2.3: 6,050 litres

2.4: 5,035 litres

4. Decrease the following capacities by 50 ℓ.

4.1: 16,750 kℓ

4.2: 13,085 kℓ

4.3: 18,900 kℓ

4.4: 17,658 kℓ

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION:

When I add or subtract with units of length, mass and capacity it is easiest to convert everything to the smallest unit , e.g.

y = 5,094 m + 342 mm + 0,087 m + 9 mm

= 5 094 mm + 342 mm + 87 mm + 9 mm

5 094

342

87

+ 9

5 532

= 5 532 mm