Page 163 - ICSE Math 5

Capacity

Like length and weight, capacity also has a standard unit of measurement, i.e., litre (L). The units
of capacity can also be converted to smaller and larger units with reference to its standard unit.

Look at the table given below to learn how to convert larger units of capacity to smaller units and
vice versa.
Multiply by 10 to go to a smaller unit.

 10  10  10  10  10  10
kilolitre hectolitre decalitre litre decilitre centilitre millilitre
(kL) (hL) (daL) (L) (dL) (cL) (mL)
1 1 1 1 1 1
     
10 10 10 10 10 10

1
Multiply by (or divide by 10) to go to a bigger unit.
10
Example 7: Convert the following as directed.

(a) 8 L 3 daL to L (b) 42 dL 6 mL to mL

Solution: (a) 8 L 3 daL
We know that 1 daL = 10 L.
 3 daL = 3 × 10 L = 30 L

Thus, 8 L 3 daL = 8 L + 3 daL = 8 L + 30 L = 38 L.
(b) 42 dL 6 mL = 42 dL + 6 mL
= (42 × 100) mL + 6 mL ( 1 dL = 100 mL)

= 4,200 mL + 6 mL = 4,206 mL

Expressing capacity in decimal form

1
Since 1 L = 1,000 mL, we can write 1 mL = L = 0.001 L.
1000
1
Similarly, 1 kL = 1,000 L and we can write 1 L = kL = 0.001 kL.
1000
Example 8: Express 6,214 L in kL using decimal notation.
1 6214
Solution: We know that 1 L = kL. Thus, 6,214 L = kL = 6.214 kL.
1000 1000
So, 6,214 L = 6.214 kL.

Exercise 11.3

1. Express the given measures in dL, cL and mL.

(a) 12.340 L (b) 3.48 L (c) 0.954 L (d) 2.309 L

153