4.2 Converting metric units of capacity
You will sometimes need to change between millilitres and litres. There are 1 000 millilitres in a litre.
Take a look at this metric conversion chart to refer to when you are carrying out the activity below.
As mentioned earlier, capacity/volume can be measured in centilitres (cl), but it is more common to use millilitres (ml) and litres (l), so we will focus on converting between these here.
Example: Converting units of capacity
- Convert the following from litres into millilitres:
- a.7 litres = ? ml
- b.8.5 litres = ? ml
- Convert the following from millilitres into litres:
- a.6 000 ml = ? litres
- b.2 750 ml = ? litres
Method
- As you can see from Figure 33, to convert from litres (l) to millilitres (ml), you need to multiply by 1 000:
- a.7 l × 1 000 = 7 000 ml
- b.8.5 l × 1 000 = 8 500 ml
- If you want to convert from millilitres (ml) to litres (l) then you need to
divide by 1 000:
- a.6 000 ml ÷ 1 000 = 6 l
- b.2 750 ml ÷ 1 000 = 2.75 l
Now try the following activity.
Activity 16: Converting metric units of capacity
Calculate the following without using a calculator. You may wish to look back at Session 1 to remind you how to multiply [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] and divide by 1 000. Remember to check your answers.
- What are the following measurements in litres?
- a.4 000 ml
- b.3 500 ml
- c.650 ml
- d.8 575 ml
- What are the following measurements in millilitres?
- a.9 litres
- b.2.5 litres
- c.4.8 litres
- d.8.95 litres
Answer
- The answers are as follows:
- a.4 000 ml ÷ 1 000 = 4 litres
- b.3 500 ml ÷ 1 000 = 3.5 litres
- c.650 ml ÷ 1 000 = 0.65 litres
- d.8 575 ml ÷ 1 000 = 8.575 litres
- The answers are as follows:
- a.9 litres × 1 000 = 9 000 ml
- b.2.5 litres × 1 000 = 2 500 ml
- c.4.8 litres × 1 000 = 4 800 ml
- d.8.95 litres × 1 000 = 8 950 ml