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.

Figure 38 A conversion chart for volume

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

  1. Convert the following from litres into millilitres:
    1. 7 litres = ? ml
    2. 8.5 litres = ? ml
  2. Convert the following from millilitres into litres:
    1. 6 000 ml = ? litres
    2. 2 750 ml = ? litres

Method

  1. As you can see from Figure 38, to convert from litres (l) to millilitres (ml), you need to multiply by 1 000:
    1. 7 l × 1 000 = 7 000 ml
    2. 8.5 l × 1 000 = 8 500 ml
  2. If you want to convert from millilitres (ml) to litres (l) then you need to divide by 1 000:
    1. 6 000 ml ÷ 1 000 = 6 l
    2. 2 750 ml ÷ 1 000 = 2.75 l

Now try the following activity.

Activity 17: 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 and divide by 1 000. Remember to check your answers.

  1. What are the following measurements in litres?
    1. 4 000 ml
    2. 3 500 ml
    3. 650 ml
    4. 8 575 ml
  2. What are the following measurements in millilitres?
    1. 9 litres
    2. 2.5 litres
    3. 4.8 litres
    4. 8.95 litres

Answer

  1. The answers are as follows:
    1. 4 000 ml ÷ 1 000 = 4 litres
    2. 3 500 ml ÷ 1 000 = 3.5 litres
    3. 650 ml ÷ 1 000 = 0.65 litres
    4. 8 575 ml ÷ 1 000 = 8.575 litres
  2. The answers are as follows:
    1. 9 litres × 1 000 = 9 000 ml
    2. 2.5 litres × 1 000 = 2 500 ml
    3. 4.8 litres × 1 000 = 4 800 ml
    4. 8.95 litres × 1 000 = 8 950 ml

OpenLearn - Everyday maths 1 (Northern Ireland)
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